Hempstead, NY -
Melissa Sconone had six points on four goals and two assists and
Kerry Walser posted three goals and a career-high 12 draw controls for the Pride, but Drexel defeated the Hofstra women's lacrosse team, 11-10, on Saturday afternoon at James M. Shuart Stadium.
These same two teams will meet in the CAA semifinals next Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The tournament is being hosted by Stony Brook.
Hofstra finished the regular season with a 9-7 overall record and a 6-2 CAA mark. Drexel moved to 12-4 and 7-1 in the league.
With the game tied at three early in the second quarter following a goal from Sconone, Drexel scored three straight to open up a 6-3 advantage with 5:56 left before halftime. Hofstra answered, though, and Sconone scored twice and
Lauren Coletti found the back of the net with 12 seconds left in the opening stanza to send the teams into the break tied at six.
Walser would put the Pride in front at the 10:59 mark of the third quarter, but the Dragons responded with four consecutive goals to lead 10-7 midway through the fourth quarter. Hofstra was not done, though, and Walser scored twice and Sconone added her fourth of the game to knot the score at 10 with 5:50 left in regulation. Drexel would escape with the win as the visitors got the game-winner with 3:38 left on a free-position goal from Bea Buckley.
Natalie Little had a season-high three ground balls for the Pride, while
Nikki Mennella added a goal and an assist.
Trinity Reed posted two draw controls and two caused turnovers, while
Luchianna Cardello tallied six saves in net for Hofstra.
Corrine Bednarik had seven points on three goals and four assists for Drexel, which also got three goals from Alex Wall. Jenika Cuocco made 15 saves for the Dragons.
NOTES
- Walser's 12 draw controls are the most for a Pride player since Darcie Smith had 12 against Towson on April 19, 2019.
- Walser's previous career-high in draw controls was eight against Connecticut earlier this season.
- Hofstra's six CAA wins are the most since the 2015 team went 6-0 in league play.
- Hofstra is 28-14 all-time against Drexel.
