Hempstead, NY – A six-goal second quarter, plus excellent defending and goalkeeping, made the difference in Hofstra's 14-6 win in the home-opener for the Pride over Long Island from James M. Shuart Stadium on a picturesque Saturday afternoon.
 
After a 1-1 first quarter, with Jackie Gatti finding the back of the net on a free-position attempt, the Pride exploded for five straight goals to make it a 6-1 Hofstra lead. Katie Kelly finished off a pass from Kerry Walser for the go-ahead goal at 11:54, and goals from Rachel Graff, Taylor Mennella, Lauren Coletti, and Walser gave the hosts a comfortable lead. The Sharks ended the run with a goal at 4:20, but Graff tallied her second goal of the day with 41 seconds left to put the Pride back in front by five. Long Island's Lluna Katz scored with three seconds left before the halftime break to make it a 7-3 scoreline.
 
Hofstra opened the third quarter with a 4-1 run to put themselves in front by seven. After Kelly's second goal of the day at 12:31 and a goal for Long Island's Olivia Fantigrossi one minute later, the Pride rattled off three straight from the sticks of Kate Fiola, Nikki Mennella, and Gatti. The Sharks ended the run with a goal at 1:47 by Hannah Kenneally, but Kelly completed her hat-trick 29 seconds later to put the score at 12-5 for the Pride going into the fourth.
 
Coletti and Nikki Mennella both found the back of the net in the fourth quarter as the Pride cruised to the season-opening win over its Nassau County rival.
 
Kelly totaled seven points against Long Island with three goals and four assists, and Taylor Mennella had three assists and one goal for four points. Jess Smith earned the win with four saves and five ground balls.
 
Kenneally finished with three points for the Sharks on two goals and an assist. Lily Bilello made five stops in a losing effort for Long Island.
 
Hofstra hits the road for its first away game of the season when it travels to Nashville, Tennessee to take on Vanderbilt (1-0) on February 18 at 1 p.m.
 
NOTES:
-Hofstra improves to 2-0 all-time versus Long Island.
-Hofstra has won of its last six season-openers.
-Hofstra allowed just one free-position attempt for Long Island, while earning themselves six.
-Hofstra pulled down 17 draw controls to Long Island's seven, with Courtney Carollo earning six for the Pride.