Piscataway, NJ – The Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team dropped a 13-6 decision to Rutgers on Wednesday afternoon at the RU Turf Field as the Pride was unable to overcome an early deficit.
Senior midfielder Jill Maier led Hofstra with two goals, while sophomore attack Brittain Altomare had a goal and an assist to tie Maier for the team-high in points.
Hofstra fell to 4-3 with the loss, while Rutgers improved to 6-1. Rutgers was ranked No. 19 this week in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll.
The Scarlet Knights were led by Megan Clements with five goals and Katrina Martinelli with four goals. Each also added an assist to their scoring total.
Hofstra got on the board first as sophomore defender April Iannetta scored an unassisted goal just 2:20 into the first half.
Rutgers would immediately answer, though, as Clements tied the score just 35 seconds later. That goal would start a 3-0 scoring run for the Scarlet Knights as they led 3-1 with 25:05 showing on the clock. The Pride would close the gap to 3-2 as senior midfielder Emily von Hollen scored with 22:38 left in the opening half before Rutgers began to pull away.
At that point, Rutgers scored two straight goals and five of the final seven goals of the stanza to open up the four-goal lead at the break.
The second half would see Rutgers take a commanding 10-4 lead as the Scarlet Knights opened the half with three straight goals, including a pair from Martinelli.
Maier would end the Rutgers run with a free-position goal at the 15:33 mark and Altomare would tally the Pride's final goal of the game with 8:16 to play before Clements closed the scoring in the game at the four-minute mark.
Sophomore goalie Kelsey Gregerson had three ground balls and two caused turnovers for the Pride, while freshman defender Shelby Milne also had a pair of caused turnovers. Sophomore defender Abby Wilson chipped in with two ground balls and a caused turnover for the Pride, while Altomare led Hofstra with two draw controls.
Hofstra returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Quinnipiac at 2 p.m.
