HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Rutgers women's lacrosse team won its third consecutive game as it held on to defeat Hofstra 9-6 Wednesday evening in Hempstead, N.Y. The Scarlet Knights (3-4) received two goals apiece from Nina Frankoski (Maplewood, N.J.) and Mary Cryan (Newtown Square, Pa.). Hofstra (3-4) was led by Corrine Gandolfi, who finished with four goals.

"It feels great," said head coach Laura Brand. "Obviously you hope that you don't shut down after the start that we had, and I give our players a lot of credit for rallying back through these last three games and just playing well and improving every day. I think we're going to keep getting better and better every game."

Rutgers jumped ahead early, scoring the first goal in the 27^th minute when Mallory Tornetta (Frazer, Pa.), from behind the net, found a cutting Cryanfor her 10^th goal of the season. After Hofstra tied the game, Rutgers scored two more to take a 3-1 lead. First Marley Welsh (Jarretsville, Md.) tallied her first assist of the season, passing to a cutting Frankoski, who found the back of the net for her seventh goal of the year. Then Meghan Flanagan (Medford, N.J.) scored on a free position shot in the seventh minute to give RU a two-goal advantage.

But Hofstra would battle back, as Gandolfi scored two consecutive goals to tie the game. Gandolfi accounted for all of the Pride's scoring in the first half. After Hofstra tied the game at three with 48 seconds to play, RU won the next draw control, and Tornetta recorded her fourth goal of the season with six seconds to play to give the Scarlet Knights a 4-3 half-time advantage.

In the second half, after a defensive stop by RU, Flanaghan found a wide-open Welsh in front of the goal, but her shot hit the post. Rutgers retained position, and Welsh got another opportunity to score, this time sending the ball through into the net for her fourth score of the year. Rutgers won the ensuing draw control, and Cryan darted past her defender and scored her second goal of the game to give RU its largest lead at 6-3. The Scarlet Knights increased their lead to 7-3 when Tornetta passed to freshman Jennifer Schmitt (Perry Hall, Md.), who tallied her first score of the season. The ball hit Hofstra goalie Maisie Osteen and then rolled into the goal.

Welsh recorded her second assist of the game and Frankoski her second goal of the game in the 20^th minute as RU built an 8-3 advantage. But Hofstra would battle back again, scoring two consecutive goals, including the fourth of the game from Gandolfi in the 44^th minute, to cut the lead to three at 8-5. The Pride continued their scoring barrage in the 53^rd minute, when Stephanie Rice scored on a free position shot to cut the lead to two. But Rutgers would hold on, keeping position of the ball from the three minute mark until Michelle Poole (Long Valley, N.J.) scored with 19 seconds to play, and the Scarlet Knights won 9-6.

"The players kept their composure throughout the game," said Brand. "We really only had a little bit of a lull in the game, other than that we played one of the most consistent games that we've played so far this season."

Junior goalie Sandra Abel (Monrovia, Md.) posted nine saves, ending her streak of 10 or more stops at five games. Rutgers enjoyed a 9-7 lead in draw controls and a 27-25 lead in shots.

The Scarlet Knights return to BIG EAST play on Saturday, March 22, when they travel to Washington, D.C. to take on Georgetown at 2:00 p.m.

"We are really going to have to work hard because not only are we returning to BIG EAST play but Georgetown is a quality opponent," said Brand. "We are going to have to work hard and clean up some things as we prepare for Saturday. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be ready to play."