Williamsburg, VA – The Hofstra women's lacrosse team out-scored William & Mary, 7-2 in the second half and nearly recovered from a seven-goal halftime deficit, but the Pride fell just short at Martin Family Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Hofstra drops to 3-6 overall and 0-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association while William & Mary improved to 4-4 and 1-0 in the CAA.
 
Hofstra and William & Mary exchanged the first two goals of the contest making it a 2-2 game after the first 15 minutes, but the Tribe came out strong in the second period, scoring seven consecutive tallies to make it 9-2.
 
Megan Flannery broke up the Tribe run at the 5:45 mark before the Pride compiled three-straight goals including back-to-back tallies by Kerry Walser just 26 seconds apart to get Hofstra within four, 9-5. William & Mary answered with two more goals to close out the first half, bringing the score to 11-5 at the break.
 
Hofstra out-scored William & Mary 3-1 in the third period as Rachel Graff opened up the half with a free position goal just about 40 seconds into the half. William & Mary responded with another goal, but it was Walser again who kept Hofstra close with two additional tallies at the six-minute mark and 2:42 mark, bringing the score to 12-8 in favor of the Tribe.
 
Kate Fiola, Lauren Coletti and Graff scored three-straight goals for the Pride, bringing the contest back within one since it was 3-2 in favor of the Tribe. William & Mary kept Hofstra at bay with one more, but Graff and the Pride didn't give in, as she recorded her third of the contest, a free position goal with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to make it a 13-12 game. Hofstra won the final draw but was unable to get a shot off to close out the contest.
 
Hofstra returns to the field on Saturday, March 25 as the Pride will take on Towson at James M. Shuart Stadium. Opening draw is set for 12 p.m. and the game will air live on LacrosseTV.
 
NOTES
-Walser's hat trick was her third this season (third in as many games) and the sixth of her career
-Hofstra bested the Tribe in several statistical categories including shots (32-28), ground balls (22-17) clears (21-18) and turnovers (12 for Hofstra, 17 for W&M)
-Graff posted her third hat trick of the season and third in four games
-Trinity Reed picked up seven ground balls, the most by a Pride player since Kelsey Gregerson had eight against Ohio State on March 29, 2012. Reed also caused had a team-high two caused turnovers
-Luchianna Cardello picked up 10 saves, her second-straight game with double-digit saves