Philadelphia, PA - Senior Alyssa Parrella picked up where she left off and led the Pride with five points on three goals and two assists, while junior Grace Langella tallied three goals and an assist to lead the Hofstra women's lacrosse team to a 10-9 victory over Saint Joseph's on Wednesday afternoon at Sweeney Field. 

The game was the season opener for both teams. 


Hofstra got on the board first as senior Katie Whelan tallied an unassisted goal nearly three minutes into the game for the Pride's first tally of the season. After Saint Joseph's knotted the score at one, Hofstra would score four straight goals to open up a 5-1 advantage with 16:10 left before halftime. Graduate student Alexa Mattera got the run started with a free-position goal and she was aided in the run by goals from Langella, Parrella, and senior Arianna Esposito. The Pride held a 6-3 lead later in the half after Esposito's second goal of the game, but the Hawks scored the final two goals of the stanza to close to within 6-5 at the break. 

It was a back and forth final 30 minutes with neither team able to pull away. A goal from Langella made it 7-6 at the 28:22 mark but Saint Joseph's got back-to-back goals, including one from Sam McGee with 26:28 left, to take its first lead of the game at 8-7. Parrella would step up for Hofstra at that point as she scored consecutive unassisted goals to put the Pride back in front with 20:16 to play. The outcome would still be in doubt, though, as Sophia Kolkka tied the score at nine with just under 12 minutes left, but Langella would give the Pride the victory as she netted the game winner at the 8:31 mark to make it 10-9. Hofstra's defense would hold on from there as the Pride only allowed one shot from the Hawks in the final 11 minutes of the game. 

A trio of players finished with two points for Hofstra as Esposito added the two goals and Mattera and Whelan each chipped in with a goal and an assist. Mattera added four draw controls, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Senior Sabrina Cristodero had four ground balls, three draw controls, and two caused turnovers for the Pride. Junior Jess Smith made five saves for the Pride. 

McGee had two goals and an assist for Saint Joseph's, while Stephanie Kelly tallied a goal and two assists. 

Hofstra is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Connecticut at 1 p.m. (note change in start time). The game is closed to the public. 

NOTES
- Today marked the first-ever meeting between Hofstra and Saint Joseph's in women's lacrosse. 
- With her three goals, Parrella moved closer to Colonial Athletic Association history. She now has 219 goals, leaving her two shy of tying Stacey Morlang of Loyola (221 from 1999-2002) for most in the history of the conference. 
- Mattera now has 186 draw controls in her career, moving into a tie with Becky Gohsler of Delaware (2015-18) and Caitlin McCartney of Delaware (2012-15) for sixth place all-time in CAA history. 
- Graduate student Darcie Smith posted four draw controls to give her 211 for her career, further expanding her program record. 
- It was the 41st hat trick of Parrella's career and the third for Langella.