Hofstra failure to capitalize leads to loss to Marist

The Hofstra University women's lacrosse team fell to the Marist College Red Foxes 14-12 on Wednesday, March 1, at James M. Shuart Stadium. Although the Pride dominated for much of the game, it was the Red Foxes who took the game in the end. Despite outshooting the Red Foxes 35-27, Hofstra failed to cash in as many key scoring opportunities failed to hit the net or were shut down by Marist goalkeeper Miranda Lopes.

“We got a lot of opportunities but we didn’t finish our shots,” Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith said following the loss. “We have to start finishing our shots; it's something we’ve been preaching.”

The Pride’s offense was once again dominated by the contributions of freshman Nikki Mennella, who scored six of the Pride’s 12 goals on the day. Five of Nikki Mennella’s goals came in the first half. Nikki Mennella’s six goals brought her season total to 19, which leads the team by a very large margin.

“Nikki is a very talented player, and she’s learning at a really fast pace,” Shannon Smith said. “She is a big player for us on the offensive side of the field, and she was tough on the draws today for us.”

Outside of Nikki Mennella, the other six goals were scored by a combination of Pride players. Megan Flannery scored the first goal of the game for the Pride, her third of the season. Rachel Graff and Kerry Walser each also found the back of the net for their third goal of the season as well as Lauren Coletti, who added her fifth and sixth goals on the year for the Pride. Taylor Mennella, Nikki Mennella’s older sister, notched her seventh goal on the year with a spinning shot right in front of the net to sink the ball past Lopes.

Although the Pride got 12 goals from six different players, it was Marist who came away with the victory and took advantage of their chances. Delaney Hayes, Kelly Trotta and Kerri Gutenberger each netted four goals each, accounting for 12 of the 14 goals the Red Foxes scored in the game. The other two goals were scored by Caitlin McNaboe and Chloe Birckhead.

To begin the game, the Pride had a glaring difference on the field to start. Gone from the cage was usual starter Jess Smith, and in net for the Pride was senior and longtime backup Samantha Tarpey, who was making her first start for the Pride in her four years with the team. However, her time in net didn’t last long, as she gave up three goals on the first three shots she saw and was pulled for Jess Smith.

However, it wasn’t Jess Smith who played the majority of the game, as she was pulled for freshman Luchianna Cardello, who played the final 39 minutes of the game. The three goalies combined for six saves on 20 shots.

The Pride, having lost their last three games in a row, will face a tall task in their next game as Army West Point comes to James M. Shuart Stadium to take on the Pride. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics