Hempstead, NY - Nikki Mennella had four goals, including three in the second half, but the Pride could not overcome a deep hole in the first half as the Hofstra women's lacrosse team dropped a 15-9 decision to Delaware on Friday evening at James M. Shuart Stadium. 

Christine Dannenfelser was solid defensively for Hofstra with three ground balls, two draw controls, and a career-high four caused turnovers. Mennella added four draw controls for the Pride. 

Delaware scored the game's first three goals before Megan Flannery got the Pride on the board at the 9:16 mark of the first quarter. The Blue Hens tallied the next five goals to open up an 8-1 lead and took an 11-2 lead into the break. 

The second half saw Hofstra open the scoring with a goal from Kayleigh Bender nearly eight minutes into the stanza. The Pride slowly chipped away as Hofstra scored three of the next four goals in the contest. After Delaware ended the run, the Pride would add another 3-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter before Delaware settled in for the victory. 

Hofstra won the draw control battle, 15-13, including 8-2 in the fourth quarter. 

Natalie DeMeo led Hofstra with six draw controls, while Kristen Redding tallied three points on two goals and an assist. 

Ella Rishko had six points on five goals and one assist for Delaware, which also got six points on four goals and two assists from Delaney Mcdaniel. 

Hofstra heads on the road next weekend as the Pride will face William & Mary on Friday before closing the week at Elon on Sunday. 

NOTES
- Hofstra is now 14-22 all-time against Delaware. Today was the final regular season meeting as conference rivals with the Blue Hens departing the CAA after this season. 
- The hat trick was Mennella's fifth this season and 15th of her career. She has four or more goals in four games this season. 
- Redding tallied her fifth multi-goal game of the season. 
- Dannenfelser previously had a career-best three caused turnovers on three separate occasions, most recently at Fairfield this season.