Hempstead, NY - Freshman Shannon Steck had her second career hat trick to lead a quartet of players with three points as the Hofstra women's lacrosse team gave #3 Maryland a solid challenge before dropping a hard-fought 16-9 decision on Wednesday afternoon at Captains Field. 

Luchianna Cardello made 12 saves in net for the Pride in a strong outing. 

Hofstra slipped to 3-4 with the loss. Maryland improved to 6-0 with the win. 

Natalie DeMeo, Nikki Mennella, and Charli Joyce all had three points on two goals and one assist for the Pride. Mennella added three ground balls and five draw controls as well. 

Hofstra won 14 of the 29 draw controls in the contest overall, the second most won against Maryland this season. 

Lauren Lapointe led Maryland with eight points on four goals and four assists, while Kori Edmondson had six points on four goals and two assists. 

Hofstra is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Wagner at 11 a.m. For ticket information visit HofstraTickets.com. That game will air on FloCollege. 

NOTES
- With her 12 saves, Cardello becomes only the sixth player in program history to reach 400 career saves. She now has 410. 
- Steck had her other hat trick this season on February 26 against Marist. 
- Cardello tallied double figure saves for the second time this season and for the 17th time in her career. 
- Nikki Mennella moved into a tie with her sister, Taylor (2020 to 2024), for sixth all-time in program history in assists with 66. 
- Mennella has at least one goal in 17 consecutive games and at least one point in 23 consecutive games. 
- Maryland has won all 10 of the meetings between the teams.