West Long Branch, NJ - Nikki Mennella put together arguably the greatest single-game performance in program history and one of the best performances in CAA history as she had 11 points on eight goals and three assists in the 15-14 win by the Hofstra women's lacrosse team over Monmouth on Saturday afternoon at Kessler Stadium. 

The 11 points are a program record, the eight goals are the second-most in a game in program history, the 11 points are the fourth-most in a game in CAA history, the eight goals are the fifth-most in a game in CAA history, and both the points and goals total are the third-most in a game in NCAA Division I this season. 

Mennella would also lead a comeback as Hofstra trailed by one with 4:44 left before she scored two goals in the final 3:47 to give the Pride the victory. 

Hofstra improved to 9-6 overall and 4-3 in CAA play with the win. Monmouth dropped to 3-12 and 0-7 in league play. The Pride has won three of its last four games. 

The Pride was in a big hole early, trailing 5-1 before scoring three straight goals to close to within 5-4. Monmouth would still be leading 6-4 before Hofstra used a 4-1 run to take an 8-7 lead with 4:32 left in the first half on a goal from Julia Harris. 

A back-and-forth third quarter would see Hofstra lead 12-11 heading into the final 15 minutes as Mennella scored with 3:35 left to break the tie. 

In the fourth quarter, the Hawks scored three consecutive goals midway through the stanza to lead 14-13 with 4:44 remaining before Mennella added to her historic day with the two goals to give the Pride the road victory. 

Mennella also added a team-high four draw controls in the game. Christine Dannenfelser posted team-bests of four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Megan Flannery had four points on three goals and one assist, while Harris chipped in with a pair of goals. 


Luchianna Cardello notched 12 saves in the game. 

Kate Carolonza had five points on three goals and two assists for Monmouth, while Maddie Flynn posted four points on three goals and an assist. 

Hofstra will close the season next Saturday when it hosts Stony Brook at 7 p.m. The game is part of a Hofstra lacrosse doubleheader as the Pride men's team will take on Towson at 4 p.m. For ticket information visit HofstraTickets.com. The game will air on FloCollege. 

NOTES
- Hofstra improved to 2-1 all-time against Monmouth. 
- The eight goals broke Mennella's previous career-high of six, which she tallied on multiple occasions. 
- The 11 points marked a new career-high as well, breaking the mark of 10 that Mennella had at Wagner on March 4, 2025. 
- Mennella is the first Hofstra player with at least 10 points in a game since Alyssa Parrella had 10 points (10 goals) against Villanova on March 13, 2021. 
- The hat trick was Mennella's 11th this season and 21st of her career. 
- Flannery's hat trick was her third this season and fourth of her career. 
- Cardello has tallied double figures in saves in four consecutive games and six times this season.