By Max Sass, Sports Editor
Hofstra women's lacrosse returned from Stanford University ready to start its CAA season. No. 19 William & Mary was the first conference opponent for the Pride and would be the first ranked opponent for the Pride since a one goal loss to the Cardinal.
The Tribe jumped out to a hot start scoring just 29 seconds into the game on Pride senior goalie Mary Cuddihy. Cuddihy was a game time decision by head coach Abby Morgan, which ended up being the right decision. Cuddihy had nine saves in the game.
Hofstra was able to rebound and rebound quickly, scoring nine straight goals, including eight in the first half to dominate William & Mary. Freshman midfielder/attack Jill Maier evened the score with a goal at 23:11 to go in the first half and junior attack Stephanie Rice, senior attack Corrine Gandolfi, senior attack Ashley Jones and senior midfielder Sandy Wasserbach all contributed to the first half run.
Senior attack Liz Falco scored four goals in the game, all in the second half. William & Mary was able to cut its deficit to 9-4 before Liz Falco scored her second and third goals of the game to re-extend the Pride's lead to 11-4. Falco would add a fourth goal with 6:25 to play in the game. Gandolfi added a goal in the second half, which was her third of the game and thirty-second of the season.
Hofstra's defense was able to hold the Tribe to just seven goals, scored by only three scorers. None of the Tribe goals were assisted.
Old Dominion University came to Shuart Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the Pride's second CAA game. The Pride would celebrate Senior Day before the game, honoring the team's eight seniors. "The seniors have a lot more to do, they have a lot more to do with this season and eight of them, we will live and die for what they do for us," Morgan said.
Hofstra dominated once again, winning 16-8, scoring three quick goals in the first one minute and 19 seconds of the game. Jones would score four goals in the game and added an assist.
ODU would cut the Pride lead to 9-6 but Hofstra soon answered with a 4-0 run to take an insurmountable 13-6 lead. "Well it's a W, but definitely we would have liked to give up less goals and score more goals," Morgan said.
The Pride took 41 shots in the contest but came away with only 16 goals. "Their goalie is a good goalie without a doubt," Morgan said, "but we made things very easy for her and I'm a little frustrated with our shooting percentage."
Hofstra will travel to Virginia to face CAA opponents George Mason and James Madison before returning to Shuart Stadium on April 23 to host the University of Delaware. "It [the Virginia trip] is going to be a big weekend for us and we have to really focus on one and then once we take care of that one, move to the next one," Morgan said.