Hempstead, NY - Looking for its second win over a nationally-ranked foe this season, the Hofstra women's lacrosse team gave Army West Point all it could handle before dropping a narrow 14-11 decision to the Black Knights on Saturday afternoon at James M. Shuart Stadium. 

Nikki Mennella had four goals and an assist for Hofstra in the contest to lead the Pride offensively. She also added a team-high-tying four draw controls. 

Hofstra fell to 2-4 with the loss, while Army West Point improved to 5-0 with the win. 

The Pride didn't get off to a great start in the contest, trailing 3-0 just under three minutes into the game. Hofstra would answer though, and tie the score at three with 4:33 left in the opening stanza following goals from Nikki Mennella, Kerry Walser, and Taylor Mennella. 

Hofstra trailed 5-4 at the end of the first before scoring the first two goals of the second quarter, in addition to the final goal of the opening quarter, to lead 6-4 with 8:36 left in the first half after Walser's second of the game. Army battled back and would eventually take a 9-7 lead into the break. 

After half, Hofstra used a 3-1 scoring run to knot the score at 10 following another goal from Nikki Mennella with 3:13 left in the third quarter. The Pride was unable to regain the lead, though, as Army West Point pushed the advantage to three before Katie Kelly made it 13-11 with 4:09 left. That would be as close as the Pride would get, though, as Army held on for the narrow win. 

Luchianna Cardello made her first-ever start in net for Hofstra and contributed seven saves. Walser and Lauren Coletti posted two goals for the Pride, while Taylor Mennella and Rachel Graff finished with a goal and an assist. Courtney Carollo tied Nikki Mennella for team-high honors with four draw controls. 

Brigid Duffy had seven points (4G, 3A) and six draw controls for Army West Point, which also got three points (2G, 1A) from Julia Gorajek, Kathleen Sullivan, and Jolie Riedell. 

Hofstra returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Wagner for a 6 p.m. contest. 

NOTES
- Hofstra is now 6-4 all-time against Army West Point. 
- Nikki Mennella's four draw controls tied her season-high established against Marist. 
- It was Walser's first multi-goal game of the season and Coletti's third.