Piscataway, NJ - Nikki Mennella had five points on two goals and three assists, but Rutgers pulled away in the second half to capture a 17-7 win over the Hofstra women's lacrosse team on Saturday afternoon at SHI Stadium. 

Hofstra dropped to 3-3 with the loss, while Rutgers improved to 4-2. 

With the five points, Mennella becomes only the eighth player in program history to record 200 career points as she now has 202 (137 goals and 65 assists). 

Luchianna Cardello, who had 12 saves, now has 398 in her career to move into sixth place all-time in program history. 

Christine Dannenfelser was outstanding defensively for the Pride with a career-high six caused turnovers and season-highs of five draw controls and four ground balls. 

Natalie DeMeo tallied two goals in the game. Cardello posted a season-high 12 saves for Hofstra and added three ground balls. 

Caroline Ling led Rutgers with seven points on five goals and two assists. 

Hofstra is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts nationally-ranked Maryland at 3 p.m. That game will be played at Captains Field. 

NOTES
- Cardello reached double figures in saves for the first time this season and 16th time in her career. 
- Mennella tallied five or more points in a game for the fourth time this season and 22nd time in her career. 
- Cardello passed Jackie Pandolf (387 from 2009 to 2012) and Kelsey Gregerson (396 from 2012 to 2015) for sixth in school history. 
- Dannenfelser previously had a career-high four caused turnovers on a pair of occasions, most recently against Quinnipiac on February 14, 2026. 
- Today was the 38th all-time game between Hofstra and Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights lead the all-time series, 27-11.