Staten Island, NY – Up two in the first half and tied at halftime, the Wagner women's lacrosse team couldn't overcome a big second half from Hofstra, falling 15-8 to the Pride at Hameline Field this afternoon.
Stephanie Falcone recorded her first hat trick of the season while junior
Stefani Peluso tied her career-high with three assists as part of a team-high four-point effort.
Erin Kerstetter scored twice while
Megan Drum and
Audrey Cerrone each scored once.
Kasey Dorney played a well-rounded game, scooping four ground balls, forcing four turnovers and collecting four draw controls. Goalie
Lauren DiStefano made a career-high 16 saves for the Green and White.
Alyssa Parrella scored a game-high eight goals for Hofstra while Jess Smith stopped 14 of Wagner's 22 shots on goal.
After an early goal from Hofstra, Wagner scored three goals exactly three minutes apart to grab a 3-1 lead, Falcone's first of the day capping the spurt.
The teams alternated each of the next four goals, with Wagner taking a 5-3 lead at the 17:39 mark.
Hofstra responded with three straight goals, holding Wagner scoreless nearly eight minutes before Cerrone knotted things at six at the 9:41 mark.
The score held until the half, despite multiple opportunities for each team. Wagner ended the opening 30 with a 17-6 advantage in ground balls and a slight 7-6 edge in draw controls.
Hofstra took a 7-6 lead less than two minutes into the second half, holding that narrow lead more than six minutes.
Following that six-minute drought, Hofstra took control of the game, scoring seven straight and winning the ensuing draw control after each of the first six, holding the high-powered Wagner offense to just three shots on goal over a 15+ minute stretch before Falcone completed her hat trick with 6:52 to play.
The Seahawks return to Hameline Field Sunday, February 23, concluding their season-opening four game home-stand against the Vermont Catamounts.
