Stony Brook, NY -
Nikki Mennella had six goals but it wasn't enough as the Hofstra women's lacrosse team dropped a 14-11 decision to Towson on Thursday afternoon in the CAA semifinals at LaValle Stadium on the campus of Stony Brook University.
The loss ends Hofstra's season at 10-7, while Towson improves to 8-10 and advances to the CAA Championship Game on Saturday.
After a scoreless first quarter by the Pride, Mennella tallied her first goal 23 seconds into the second quarter to make it 2-1. Mennella would notch three goals in the second quarter to keep the Pride within striking distance.
After falling behind by three in the third quarter, goals from Mennella,
Julia Harris, and another from Mennella got Hofstra back to within one, 8-7.
It was a one-goal game heading into the fourth quarter and back-to-back goals from
Natalie DeMeo and Mennella would knot the score at 11 with 6:57 remaining in regulation. The Pride would be unable to get over the hump, though, as Valerie Thompson scored the eventual game-winner with 4:18 left to send the Tigers to the title tilt.
Kayleigh Bender added two goals and one assist for Hofstra, which also got two points (1 G, 1 A) from DeMeo.
Kate Lemery led Hofstra with three ground balls and two caused turnovers, while Mennella added three ground balls and three draw controls.
Luchianna Cardello made five saves for the Pride.
Luca DeMaio had seven points on six goals and one assist for Towson, which got five points (3 G, 2 A) from Thompson. Jenna Cardeno had nine saves for the Tigers.
NOTES
- Mennella's 65 goals this season are the second-most in a single season in program history and her 90 points is good for third-most in a single season in program history.
- Mennella moved into a tie for 10th all-time in CAA history in career points with 260 and moved into 13th place all-time in CAA history in career goals with 180.
- The hat trick was the ninth this season for Mennella and the 30th of her career. It was also the sixth time this season she tallied six goals in a game and the 12th time in her career.
- Hofstra is now 21-28 all-time against Towson. The Pride had won three straight in the series coming into today.
