Hamden, CT - Kayleigh Bender had a career-high six points on a career-high tying four goals and two assists to lead the Hofstra women's lacrosse team to a 12-7 victory over Quinnipiac on Saturday afternoon at QU Lax Stadium. 

Nikki Mennella added five points on four goals and an assist in the contest, while Natalie DeMeo had her first career hat trick with three goals in the win. 

The Pride moved to 2-1 with the win, while Quinnipiac dropped its season opener. 

Hofstra trailed by two at halftime, 5-3, before taking complete control during a pivotal third quarter that saw the Pride outscore the Bobcats, 6-1. Back-to-back goals from Mennella would prove to be the difference as the first one tied the score at six before she gave Hofstra the lead for good with an unassisted tally at the 6:48 mark of the third quarter. Hofstra would pull away from there and pick up the five-goal road victory. 

Evin Terzioglu had four ground balls to lead the way for Hofstra, while Christine Dannenfelser posted four caused turnovers, four draw controls, and two ground balls. Natalie Little had three ground balls and three caused turnovers in the contest, while Madeleine Rudolph led the way with five draw controls. Luchianna Cardello made eight saves in net. 

Anna Givens had four points on a goal and three assists, while Peyton Choma tallied three goals in the game. 

Hofstra is back in action next Saturday when it hosts Fairfield. That game will be played at Captains Field and begin at 12 p.m. 

NOTES
- Hofstra moved to 8-0 all-time against Quinnipiac. The game was the first between the teams since a 17-7 Pride victory in 2019. 
- The hat trick was Mennella's second this season and 23rd of her career, while Bender tallied her second this season and eighth of her career. 
- Nikki Mennella moved into eighth place all-time in points at Hofstra, passing her sister, Taylor. Nikki Mennella now has 185 points, while Taylor Mennella had 182 points from 2020 to 2024. 
- Mennella now has 127 goals to move into seventh place all-time. She passed three people, including current assistant coach Alexa Mattera. Mattera had 125 goals from 2017 to 2021.