Hempstead, NY – Led by seven points (6G, 1A) from freshman Alyssa Parrella and a career-high five goals from junior Drew Shapiro the Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team used a dominate second half to rally past #13 Towson on Sunday afternoon at James M. Shuart Stadium. 

The victory is the program's highest ranked victory since a 9-8 win over #8 Towson on May 6, 2010. In addition it is the most goals the Pride has scored against the Tigers since an 18-10 win on April 6, 2001. 

The win improves Hofstra's record to 7-6 and 1-3 in league play, while Towson falls to 9-5 and 2-2 in Colonia Athletic Association action. 

Towson jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before Hofstra rallied back and used a 5-1 scoring run to knot the game at five following a free-position goal from Shapiro. 

The Tigers outscored the Pride, 6-2, over the final 14:02 of the opening half to take what looked to be a commanding 11-7 lead into the break. 

The second stanza was a completely different story, though, as Parrella scored twice in the first six minutes to close the gap to two at 11-9 in favor of the Tigers. 

After Towson got a goal from Emily Gillingham with 23:46 on the clock to push it back to a three-goal game, Hofstra would take over and score six straight goals that eventually put the Pride in front, 15-12, with 11:27 to play in regulation. Shapiro keyed the run with a trio of goals, including a pair of unassisted tallies that got the spurt kick-started. 

A pair of goals from Natlaie Sulmonte twice got Towson within two goals late, but as they did all afternoon Shapiro and Parrella came up huge and ended any thoughts of a Tiger comeback. 

Senior Becky Conto had another strong game for the Pride as she notched four points (3G, 1A), along with two draw controls and two ground balls. Parrella added four ground balls and two draw controls, while Shapiro led Hofstra with a career-best tying five draw controls. Freshman Alexa Mattera chipped in with a season-high four draw controls. 

Sophomore goalie Maddie Fields had 10 saves for Hofstra, including a pair of point-blank saves in the closing minutes to preserve the victory. 

Carly Tellekamp had six goals for Towson, while Gillingham had four points (2G, 2A) and Sulmonte added three goals. Angie Benson made 12 saves in net, while Olivia Conto had three caused turnovers, two draw controls and two ground balls for the Tigers. 

Hofstra is back on the field on Friday when it hosts William & Mary at 7 p.m.

NOTES
- Towson leads the all-time series with Hofstra, 23-15. The Tigers had won the last two in the series prior to today. 
- Shapiro's previous career-high in goals was four against Columbia on April 1, 2017 and her previous career-high of five draw controls occurred against New Hampshire on February 13, 2016.
- Mattera's previous high of three draw controls occurred on several occasions, last against James Madison on Friday. 
- Sophomore Annalise Martin tied her career-high with three ground balls. She previous had three on a pair of occasions – last against Central Connecticut State on March 25, 2017.