Williamsburg, VA - Nikki Mennella had five points on three goals and two assists and Kayleigh Bender added three goals to lead the Hofstra women's lacrosse team to an 11-7 win over William & Mary on Friday evening at Martin Family Stadium. 

Christine Dannenfelser was outstanding for the Pride as she totaled a career-high six ground balls, three caused turnovers, two draw controls and also notched her first career goal in the game. 

The win improved Hofstra's record to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in CAA play. William & Mary dropped to 4-5 and 0-2 in league action. 

Hofstra scored the first four goals of the game and held William & Mary scoreless for the first 26-plus minutes to create some early space in the game. Mennella scored the first two goals and Dannenfelser broke into the scoring column with 10:40 left in the second quarter. 

A goal from Jordyn Poll early in the third quarter pushed the lead to 6-1. The Tribe closed the gap to three on a pair of occasions in the second half but back-to-back goals from Bender gave Hofstra some much-needed breathing room as they led 9-4 at the end of the third quarter. The Pride got goals from Kristen Redding and Julia Harris in the final stanza to account for the final total. 

Luchianna Cardello posted 10 saves in the game. It was her second game this season with at least 10 saves. 

Jacky Sutherland added three ground balls and two caused turnovers for the Pride, which also got two goals from Redding. Madeleine Rudolph posted a team-high five draw controls. 

Finley Hoffman, Anna Dawson, and Sophia Chiodo Ortiz all tallied two goals for William & Mary. Dawson added five ground balls. 

Hofstra will conclude its Southern road trip on Sunday when it travels to Elon for an 11 a.m. contest. The game will air on FloCollege. 

NOTES
- Hofstra improved to 16-7 all-time against William & Mary. The Pride has won two straight in the series and nine of the last 10 meetings. 
- The hat trick was the sixth of the season and 16th in the career for Mennella. Bender tallied the fifth hat trick of her rookie campaign. 
- Cardello has 11 games in her career with at least 10 saves. 
- Dannenfelser previously had five ground balls on a trio of occasions, most recently against Marist on February 16, 2025.