Staten Island, NY - Nikki Mennella tied her career-high with nine points on a career-high-tying six goals and three assists to lead the Hofstra women's lacrosse team to an 18-6 win over Wagner on Tuesday evening at Hameline Field. 

Mennella previously had nine points against Marist back on February 16 of this season and previously tallied six goals against Marist on March 1, 2023. 

Freshman Kayleigh Bender tied her season-high with four goals, while Julia Harris tallied three goals in the contest. 

The win moves the Pride's record to 5-1 this season. Wagner dropped to 0-4.

The outcome of the game was never in doubt with Hofstra scoring the game's first seven goals, including five in the first quarter. Bender completed the game-opening run with her second of the game at that point, making it 7-0 with just under 11 minutes left before halftime. 

Wagner did close the gap to five late in the third quarter before the Hofstra defense clamped down and didn't allow another Seahawk goal over the final nearly 18 minutes and extended the margin to 12 during that time. 

Emily Weigand tallied a career-high four caused turnovers for the Pride, while Christine Dannenfelser posted three caused turnovers and two draw controls. 

Kendra Hall led Wagner with two goals, while Emily Ryan had two assists. Ella Marino tallied a goal and an assist for the Seahawks.

Hofstra is back at home on Saturday when the Pride hosts Rutgers at 12 p.m. For ticket information visit HofstraTickets.com. The game will air on FloCollege.

NOTES
- Hofstra has won all eight meetings with Wagner in women's lacrosse. 
- With two nine-point games already this season, Mennella is the first Hofstra player with two games of at least nine points in the same season since Alyssa Parrella had nine against Johns Hopkins (March 3) and Wagner (February 18) during the 2020 season. 
- The hat trick was the fourth of the season and 14th in the career for Mennella, the fourth this season for Bender, and the second of the season and career for Harris.