Fairfield, CT - Nikki Mennella was incredible once again as she tallied eight points on five goals and three assists, while also adding 11 draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers in the Hofstra women's lacrosse team's 17-11 win over Fairfield on Saturday afternoon at Rafferty Stadium. How spectacular has Mennella been in her three games so far this season? She has 24 points in three games with seven against Long Island, nine versus Marist, and the eight today. 

Julia Harris had a career day for the Pride as she poured in a career-best six points on a career-high five goals and one assist. 

The 4-0 start to the season matches the 2013, 2005, and 1985 teams as the only squads in program history to begin the season with four consecutive wins. 

While Hofstra moved to 4-0, Fairfield dropped to 1-3 with the loss. 

The Pride left no doubt early on as Hofstra scored the first five goals of the game, including two from Mennella and two from Kristen Redding. After Fairfield closed to within four, 6-2, Hofstra opened up a 9-2 advantage following a tally from Harris. 

A 5-1 run midway through the third quarter put the game out of reach as Hofstra took a 14-5 lead following a goal from Kate Lemery with 4:57 left in the quarter. 

Kayleigh Bender had four points on two goals and two assists, while Lemery and Redding each added three points on two goals and an assist for the Pride. 

Christine Dannenfelser aided the Pride defense with two ground balls, three caused turnovers, and two draw controls. Luchianna Cardello made five saves for her fourth win of the season. 

Grace Slater had six points on four goals and two assists for Fairfield, which also got three goals from Amanda Kozak. 

Hofstra is back in action next Saturday when it travels to nationally-ranked Princeton for a 12 p.m. game. 

NOTES
- Hofstra is now 15-6 all-time against Fairfield. The Pride has won four of the last six meetings against the Stags. 
- The hat trick was the third of the season and 13th in the career for Mennella. It was the first career hat trick for Harris. 
- Mennella's 11 draw controls broke her previous career-high of eight against Manhattan on February 14, 2025. It was the most by a Pride player since Kerry Walser had 12 against Drexel on April 27, 2024.