Hempstead, NY -- Junior midfielder Corrine Gandolfi totaled five goals and added a pair of assists for seven points to lead the Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team to a convincing 18-5 season-opening victory over Iona at James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The 18 goals scored by Pride were the most in a season opener since Hofstra defeated Colgate 18-4 to open the 2001 campaign.

Senior defender Alysse Ruszkowski also had a strong game for Hofstra as she posted game-highs of four caused turnovers and four ground balls to lead the way in the dominating defensive effort by the Pride.

Hofstra would tally the first 11 goals of the game as they led 11-0 after a goal from senior midfielder Lauren Whitcomb with 7:28 left in the opening half. Seven different goal scorers would find the back of the net for the Pride in the first half, led by three goals apiece from Gandolfi and sophomore attack Stephanie Rice. Hofstra scored its first goal of the season just 24 seconds into its season opener as Gandolfi tallied the first of three straight unassisted goals for the Pride. After a pair of free-position goals from Rice and junior attack Ashley Jones, four of the Pride's next five goals would be assisted, including two off passes from Gandolfi. Iona would end the scoring run for Hofstra as Christie Godlewski notched her first of the game with one minute left before halftime.

The first half saw Hofstra outshoot Iona, 24-8, with Iona's Colleen Magri recording six saves and junior goalie Mary Cuddihy totaling five for the Pride.

Hofstra would expand its lead up to as many as 15 (16-1), as they scored the first five goals of the second half before Iona scored four of the final six goals in the game to account for the 18-5 final score. Gandolfi had two of the Pride's goals during the half-opening 5-0 run, while junior attack Courtney O'Connor tallied two as well and sophomore attack Kailey Ruszkowski getting credited with the other one.

After Iona went on a stretch of tallying four of the next five goals in the game, junior midfielder Sandy Wasserbach would close the scoring in the contest with an unassisted goal with 2:19 to play in regulation.

Rice and O'Connor each finished with three goals for Hofstra, which also got a pair of goals and an assist from Ashley Jones.

Wasserbach also added two caused turnovers for Hofstra, while Gandolfi, junior midfielder K'Leigh Vanaman and sophomore defender Katie Hertsch each picked up a pair of ground balls.

Cuddihy, who played the first half, earned the first win of her career today with her five saves and just one goal allowed. Freshman goalie Jackie Pandolf played the second half for the Pride and made three saves in net.

Casey Scully had two goals for Iona, while Godlewski finished with one goal and three assists. Lisa Baron picked up three ground balls for the Gaels and also caused a pair of turnovers. Magri played the entire game for Iona and made eight saves.

Hofstra returns to action on Wednesday, February 25 when they host Connecticut at 4:00 p.m.

2009-02-21