By Joe Pantorno, Staff Writer
Hofstra women's lacrosse laced up for its final non-conference game of the season against the University of Oregon on Monday afternoon at Shuart Stadium.
The Ducks were coming off of a win against Cincinnati and were looking to improve upon their 4-3 record. The no. 19 Pride (5-2) looked to prove it belongs among the nation's elite after beating Stony Brook on March 17.
For the first two minutes of the game Oregon monopolized possession and did not allow Hofstra to touch the ball. Oregon freshman midfielder Maggie Kovacs scored the first goal of the game one minute and forty-five seconds in.
Hofstra settled down and scored six straight goals. Oregon came storming back and cut the deficit to 6-4, leading head coach Abby Morgan to call a time out. "I got after the defense a little bit, we were not playing smart," Morgan said. "We had to pull out the threat of putting a whole new defensive unit out there."
After the sideline encouragement, the Pride solved its defensive problems and senior midfielder Corrine Gandolfi took over the game. Gandolfi netted seven goals, a career high and increased her season total to 27 goals. Gandolfi's seven goals led to an eventual 21-8 victory.
"She really is so quick that she can get underneath and she shot to the same spot every time, but they [Oregon] didn't make any adjustments. She has that ability to get the goal," said Morgan.
Gandolfi was not the only goal scorer for the Pride. Junior attack Stephanie Rice and freshman midfielder Jill Maier both scored hat tricks. Maier and freshmen attackers Lauren Chandler, Taylor Albright, and Claire Brady all recorded points in the game, which excited Coach Morgan.
"It's great," Morgan said. "To have them have such confidence is because our leadership has confidence in them. I haven't had that with a team yet like we do with this team. Every player can contribute."
Senior midfielder Sandy Wasserbach (4) battles for position with Oregon sophomore midfielder Jana Drummond (2). (Sean M. Gates/ The Chronicle)