Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra defense held its third opponent of the season to single-digits, and its second opponent to just five goals, as the Pride opened their 2022 home schedule with a satisfying 9-5 win over visiting Fairfield Saturday afternoon from James M. Shuart Stadium.
The Pride jumps to 3-1 on the year following today's win, and Fairfield slips to 3-2 with the defeat.
Taylor Mennella and
Grace Langella each finished with two goals against the Stags, while
Katie Whelan finished with a pair of assists and a goal, and
Jess Smith made 10 saves between the pipes against the Stags.
It took a minute to get the scoring started, but the Pride found the back of the net twice inside the final five minutes of the opener quarter from shots by
Arianna Esposito and
Erin Demek, and Langella's first goal of the season made it a 3-0 game earl in the second quarter. Fairfield answered back a minute after Langella's goal, but Mennella and Whelan each scored to put Hofstra on top, 5-1, entering halftime.
Katie Kelly finished off a pass from Whelan for her fourth goal of the season to start the third quarter, before
Cara Scanio scored after receiving a pass from
Shannon Boyle unmarked and directly in front of the Fairfield goal. A pair of Fairfield goals flanked Scanio's goal, giving Hofstra a 7-3 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Mennella and Langella both found the back of the net for the second time in the fourth quarter, giving Hofstra insurance goals as the Stags snuck a pair of shots past Smith late in the game.
Kelly Horning led Fairfield with two goals on the afternoon, and Casey Collins made 12 saves for the Stags.
Hofstra hits the turf again next Saturday, March 5, against UAlbany from James M. Shuart Stadium. Opening draw is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on FloLive.
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 14-4 all-time against Fairfield, and has won the last three meetings against the Stags.
-Smith has made at least 10 saves in all four games this season.
-21 of Hofstra's 27 total shots were on target.
-Hofstra forced Fairfield into committing 20 turnovers on the day.
