Hempstead, NY - Sophomore Grace Langella had a career-high five goals and the Hofstra women's lacrosse team jumped out to a 5-0 lead en route to a 17-13 victory over Fairfield on Saturday afternoon at James M. Shuart Stadium. It was Langella's second career hat trick as she had four goals against Bucknell earlier this season. 

The win was Hofstra's third straight and improves the Pride's record to 3-1 this season. Fairfield falls to 1-3 with the loss. 

It didn't take long for Hofstra to get on the board as junior Sabrina Cristodero found the back of the net just 13 seconds into the contest. Langella scored twice during the game-opening run and freshman Taylor Mennella would close the run with her first of the game at the 22:55 mark. A goal from Kelly Horning of Fairfield closed the gap to 7-4 with just under 11 minutes left before halftime, but Hofstra answered with three goals to end the half as junior Katie Whelan, senior Alyssa Parrella, and sophomore Erin Demek scored to push the advantage to six at the break. 

The two teams combined for 16 goals in the second stanza with Parrella opening the second half scoring to make it a seven-goal lead. After the Stags got to within 11-6, the Pride would get goals from Langella, sophomore Amanda Guerra and Mennella to take a commanding 14-6 lead with just over 22 minutes left in the contest. Langella would add two more late, sandwiched around another Parrella goal to make it 17-9, before Fairfield closed the game with four straight goals to account for the final score. 

Senior Darcie Smith posted eight draw controls in the game and now has 191 in her career. She moved into fifth place all-time in Colonial Athletic Association history. Parrella finished with a hat trick for the Pride, while Whelan and Mennella each chipped in with two goals. Guerra had a goal and two assists for the Pride and Cristodero had a stellar game with 10 draw controls, three caused turnovers, two ground balls and a goal. Darcie Smith led Hofstra with three ground balls as well, while sophomore Jess Smith made five saves for the Pride. Horning had four points on three goals and one assist for Fairfield, while Monika Sivilli added three goals. Olivia Conquest had 16 saves for the Stags. 

Hofstra returns to action on Tuesday, March 3 when it travels to Johns Hopkins for a 4 p.m. contest. 

NOTES
- Hofstra improved to 13-4 all-time against Fairfield. 
- The hat trick was the 38th of Parrella's career. 
- Hofstra had a season-high 46 shots in the contest and also won a season-best 24 draw controls.