HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Fairfield University women's lacrosse team was edged by Hofstra University, 8-7, this evening. 

Sophomore Colleen Reynolds scored twice for the Stags, who also received goals from Melanie Raso, Jenna Slowey, Addie Reilly, Julieanne Mascera, and Jamie Leone. Courtney Chmil and Leone had assists in the contest.

Scoring started early as Emily Considine gave Hofstra a 1-0 lead only 35 seconds into the first half. At 20:01, Jenn Ward netted a goal, off a pass from Brittain Altomare, extending the Pride's lead to 2-0. Six minutes later, Hofstra pushed their lead to 3-0 when Alexandra Mezzanotte scored her first goal.

Fairfield answered with back-to-back goals by Slowey and Reynolds at 10:36 and 10:07. The first goal scored by the Stags was assisted by Chmil. The Pride's fourth goal came when Altomare scored off a free position shot at 9:42. With only five minutes left in the half, Hofstra's Lindsay McKinnon netted a goal to give the Pride a 5-2 advantage into halftime.

The second half started much like the first, with Hofstra's Altomare netting her second goal of the game about two minutes in. At 20:19, Fairfield's Leone scored off a free position shot, making the score 6-3. About 10 minutes later, a goal by Mascera, off a pass from Leone, pushed the score to 6-4. Hofstra answered with a third goal by Altomare, at 7:36, followed by a goal from the Stags' Reynolds about a minute later.

Fairfield battled back, scoring another set of consecutive goals to tie the game with just 39 seconds left in regulation. The first goal was scored by Reilly, off a pass from Leone, at 2:38 while the second was netted by Raso, tying the game at 7-7. With only 14 seconds left, Hofstra's Sam Lenox scored the final goal of the game, sealing an 8-7 win for the Pride.

Sophomore Chelsey Sidaras manned the net for the Stags, making six saves, while Hofstra's Kelsey Gregerson tallied seven. Despite the Pride having a slight 12-9 advantage in ground balls, the Stags outshot the Pride, 24-22. Raso had a team-high seven shots for Fairfield. Throughout the entire game, the Stags caused nine turnovers while the Pride only caused four.

For Hofstra, Altomare had three goals with two assists, for five points. April Iannetta tallied three ground balls and caused three turnovers for the Pride.

Fairfield (0-1) continues action on the road, stopping at Rutgers on February 22 at 1pm, followed by Holy Cross on February 26 at 4pm.