HEMPSTEAD, New York * Senior attacker Kimberly Hillier tallied six points on four goals and two assists, including two goals in the final two minutes of overtime to lead the Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team to a come-from-behind 11-10 overtime victory over Drexel University at James M. Shuart Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The win, which was Hofstra's third straight overtime victory, improved the Pride's record to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. Drexel, meanwhile, slipped to 6-2 and 0-1 in conference action with the loss.

Hofstra trailed 5-4 after Jessica Bill gave the Dragons a one-goal lead at the 9:52 mark off an assist from Kerry Kelly. The Pride would regroup, though, as they scored the final three goals of the first stanza to take a two-goal advantage, 7-5, at the break. Freshman midfielder K'Leigh Vanaman scored the first two goals of the half-ending run, with Hillier adding the other tally.

The Dragons looked to take control of the contest in the second half as they scored the first four goals of the second half and led 9-7 after Bill scored the third of her four goals on the day with 7:30 left in regulation. Hofstra would finally find the back of the net with 2:30 remaining in the second half when senior attacker Becky Thorn scored off an assist from Hillier to allow the Pride to cut the deficit to one, 9-8.

Needing one more goal to send the game into overtime, Hofstra found an unlikely hero in sophomore midfielder Jacquelyn Hetzel who notched her first goal of the season with 43 ticks left on the clock to culminate the Pride comeback.

Hillier, who assisted on both Hofstra goals to end regulation, would even the score at 10 with 1:43 left in overtime after Bill put the Dragons on top at the 5:04 mark. Hillier would then score the game-winner with 1:15 left to put the punctuation mark of her spectacular day in leading Hofstra to the thrilling overtime victory.

Junior goalie Maisie Osteen was strong in net for the Pride as she fell one save short of her career-high in stopping 14 Drexel shots. Lauren LaBella was just as good for the Dragons as she had 13 saves in the contest. With her 14 saves, Osteen now has 306 saves in her career and becomes just the sixth player in school history to record at least 300 saves.

Hillier added five draw controls in the game and her two assists moved her into sole possession of second place all-time in that category with 65. She passed Kristin Marshall (1999-2002), who tallied 64 during her career.

Hofstra also got two goals and three caused turnovers from senior midfielder Casey McGrath, who today became the ninth player in school history with at least 100 career goals and now has 101 in her career. She also has now scored 132 points in her career and passed Heather Kain (131 points from 1996-99) to move into tenth place all-time in that category.

Sophomore defender Alysse Ruszkowski totaled a team-best three ground balls and added two caused turnovers in the contest as Hofstra forced 23 Drexel turnovers.

Emily Hoesch added three goals and four draw controls for the Dragons, who also got a goal and three assists from Kerry Kelly.

Hofstra returns to action on Friday, April 6 when they travel to The College of William & Mary for a 7:00 p.m. contest. It will be the first of a two-game CAA roadtrip for the Pride, who will face Old Dominion on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. as well.

Box Score

2007-04-01