RIVERDALE, NY — Manhattan women's lacrosse couldn't keep pace with Hofstra on Friday afternoon as the Pride ran away in the second half to take an 18-5 decision. The Manhattan offense ran through Emily Fiola and Olivia Cruthers, but was outmatched by the Pride's balanced scoring attack led by 9 scorers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Manhattan's junior goalkeeper Danielle Serbinski was tested right from the get-go, and worked hard to fend off the Hofstra attack in the opening minutes before the Pride's Nikki Mennella broke through with the game's opening goal at the 9:25 mark.
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Hofstra was able to extend its lead to 2-0 thanks to a conversion from Kristen Redding on a free position opportunity at the 4:47 mark of the first quarter.
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The Manhattan attack was finally rewarded for its patience when Lauren Maher picked out Jaspers' leading goal-scorer Olivia Cruthers for a goal at the 2:40 mark.
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Manhattan added another goal 50 seconds into the second quarter with Emily Derrico finding Emily Fiola to tie the game.
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From there, Hofstra broke the game open with a 7-1 scoring run that spanned the rest of the second quarter. The Pride was jolted by back-to-back scores from Kayleigh Bender which swung the momentum in Hofstra's favor for good.
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The closest Manhattan got again was at 4-3 when Lauren Maher found twine on an assist from Ashley Bonitch.
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In the second half, Hofstra continued its hard work offensively by netting 10 more goals. Manhattan drew a few penalties on the opposition, but the damage was already done.
STATS AND NOTES
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Emily Fiola scored two goals on Friday afternoon for her first two scores of 2025. She contributed 5 goals and 5 assists during her junior season last year.
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Olivia Cruthers chipped in two goals vs. Hofstra to raise her career total to 42. In the season opener vs. UMass Lowell, Cruthers reached the 40-goal plateau and finished the game with a team-high four goals.
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Freshman goalkeeper Celeste Endo made her collegiate debut in the second half. The native of Ashburn, Virginia replaced junior netminder Danielle Serbinski.
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Lauren Maher concluded her second appearance of the season with a goal and an assist.
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Manhattan was forced into 17 turnovers while Hofstra coughed it up 11 times.
NEXT TIME OUT
Manhattan embarks on a three-game road swing which begins with a match-up with the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights next Wednesday, Feb. 19. The game will air live at 2 P.M. on NEC Front Row.
Follow Manhattan women's lacrosse on Instagram (@manhattanwlacrosse_) and X (@ManhattanWLacrosse)