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Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
Kayleigh Bender
Matteo Bracco
Kayleigh Bender scored four goals in her collegiate debut.
6
Long Island LIU_WLAX 0-1
11
Winner Hofstra HOFSTRA 1-0
Long Island LIU_WLAX
0-1
6
Final
11
Hofstra HOFSTRA
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Long Island LIU_WLAX 1 2 2 1 6
Hofstra HOFSTRA 3 0 5 3 11

Game Recap: Women's Lacrosse | | Len Skoros

Redding, Bender Power Hofstra Past LIU In Season Opener

Hempstead, NY - Sophomore Kristen Redding and freshman Kayleigh Bender each scored four goals, while graduate transfer Angelina Sparacio added two goals and an assist to back a solid defensive effort in Hofstra's 11-6 victory over LIU in the season opener for both teams Friday afternoon at James M. Shuart Stadium. The Pride used a five-goal third quarter to pull away from the Sharks and limited the visitors to just three second half goals. 

Hofstra (1-0) held the Sharks to 20 shots with just 11 on goal. Pride junior goalkeeper Luchianna Cardello made five saves on the day. 

The Pride led 3-1 after the first quarter as Sparacio, a transfer from Quinnipiac, got the scoring started with an unassisted goal 2:47 into the contest. The Sharks would tie the score 4:30 later as Julia Trainor converted a pass from Ava Hernandez. The tie did not last long, as just over a minute later Redding scored an unassisted goal and Bender closed out the quarter with a goal with 48 seconds remaining for a two-goal cushion. 

LIU (0-1) would tie the game in the second quarter as Trainor notched her second of the game with 9:32 remaining and Ava Taylor followed with 4:34 to play. Those would be the only goals of the quarter as Mylie Norton stopped the Pride's only three shots.

The Pride would outscore the Sharks, 5-2 in the third quarter to take an 8-5 lead into the final 15 minutes. LIU briefly took a 4-3 lead as Trainor completed the opening day hat trick 32 seconds into the stanza. However, Redding scored three consecutive goals in a span of 1:39 to put the Pride ahead to stay, 6-4. LIU would get a goal from Erin Harkins to make it a one-goal game, but Sparacio and Bender closed the quarter with back-to-back goals to extend the lead to three. 

Bender would complete her hat trick 6:27 into the final quarter to make it a 9-5 game. Harkins and Bender would trade goals before the Pride's Madeline Rudolph got in on the scoring with 3:22 remaining to extend the lead to five, 11-6. The goal was the first Hofstra goal for Rudolph, a junior that transferred from Richmond in 2023. 

The Pride had 32 shots in the game with 21 on goal. Hofstra had a 14-7 advantage in draw controls with sophomore Christine Dannenfelser notching nine. Freshman Kate Lemery led Hofstra with three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Trainor had three goals to pace the Sharks, while Harkins had two goals. Norton recorded 10 saves in goal.

Hofstra returns to action Friday, February 14 at Manhattan. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Notes: 
-Hofstra is 4-0 all-time against LIU.
-The Pride moved to 20-28 all-time in season openers.
-The victory gave Hofstra Head Coach Shannon Smith her 94th career win, tying her with Carie Bodo (1988-2001) for the most in program history. 
-Dannenfelser's nine draw controls were a career-high.
-Redding matched her career-high with four goals. 
-The Pride was 11-12 on clear attempts. 
-Rudolph and junior Julia Harris each added their first career assists in the game.


 
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