Los Angeles, CA - Sophomore Katie Whelan had five points (4G, 1A) and junior Alyssa Parrella posted four goals, but it wasn't enough as the Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team dropped its season opener to #21 USC, 15-10, on Saturday afternoon at McAlister Field. 

The game was the season opener for both squads as Hofstra falls to 0-1 and USC improves to 1-0. 

The Pride got on the board first as Whelan opened up the scoring just over two minutes in off an assist from freshman Grace Langella. USC would respond with three straight goals to open up a 3-1 advantage with 10 minutes gone in the opening stanza. At that point, Hofstra used its own 3-0 scoring run to push the lead back in favor of the Pride at 4-3 with 13:53 left in the first half. Whelan netted her second of the game, while Parrella and freshman Jackie Gatti had the other goals. The teams would go into the break knotted at five with Parrella tying the score with a goal in the final minute. 

USC would score the first three goals of the second half as they opened up an 8-5 advantage with 23:55 left on the clock. Whelan found the back of the net with a free-position shot at the 22:18 mark to close the gap to 8-6, but USC would score the next five goals to take a commanding 13-6 lead. The Pride battled to the end as they outscored USC, 4-2, over the final nine minutes with Parrella tallying two during the run. 

Freshman Jess Smith made 11 saves in her collegiate debut for Hofstra, while junior Darcie Smith tallied three draw controls, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. 

Katie Ramsey led USC with four points on three goals and one assist, while Jackie Gilbert had five draw controls and three ground balls. 

Hofstra is back in action next Saturday when it travels to Bucknell for a 1 p.m. contest. 

NOTES
- Today was the first-ever meeting between Hofstra and USC. 
- The five points tied a career-high for Whelan. She previously had five points at #2 Maryland on March 3, 2018. 
- With her four goals, Parrella moved into eighth place all-time at Hofstra with 108. She passed Beth Simpson, who had 105 from 1989-92.