Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Four goals in the final seven minutes of action were not enough for the Rutgers women's lacrosse team to overcome an early deficit in a 9-5 loss to Hofstra Wednesday evening at High Point Solutions Stadium. Redshirt senior Lauren Sbrilli (Martinsville, N.J.) posted a hat trick during the run and led RU with four goals, but the Pride iced the game in the final minutes for the win.

"I think in that last section we did a nice job of fighting, but I think we should have brought that the whole game," said head coach Laura Brand-Sias. "When it comes down to what we were expecting from Hofstra, I think we got that and were prepared for it. I just think we came out sort of flat on the offensive side of the ball."

Freshman Kerri Puckhaber (Wantagh, N.Y.) continues to thrive since scoring her first-career goal two games ago, and again sparked the Scarlet Knights Wednesday against the Pride. RU (1-8) trailed, 8-1, with less than eight minutes to go, when Puckhaber aggressively attacked and earned a free position opportunity.

The rookie buried the shot to make it an 8-2 contest, which caused Sbrilli to follow suit with two more goals - the latter assisted by Puckhaber - and make it an 8-4 game with 6:25 to play.

Following a timeout, Hofstra (5-3) recovered with a goal from its leading scorer, Brittain Altomare. Altomare's tally at 5:24 built the lead back up to 9-4 with time winding down, and despite another goal from Sbrilli down the stretch, the lead proved insurmountable.

Puckhaber has registered points in three consecutive games after scoring her first-career goal. Freshman Amanda Casten (Brick, N.J.) has started the last five games and continues to make an impact, posting two ground balls for the third-straight contest.

Hofstra's Altomare, who entered the game sixth in the country with a 6.0 points per game average, led the Pride with a hat trick and four assists.

In cage, senior goalkeeper Candice Dandridge (Cherry Hill, N.J.) had a strong game with nine saves and a ground ball. One of the stops came on a Pride free position attempt.

Rutgers hits the road to face No. 17/14 Stony Brook on Tuesday, March 24. The contest begins at 7 p.m.

Game Notes
?Sbrilli has led RU in scoring in consecutive games and now has 96 goals for her career. Sbrilli became the 19th player in program history to join the 100-point club earlier this season, and can join the 100-goal club with four more scores.
?With 109 points for her career after Wednesday, Sbrilli passed Kristen Anderson (2008-11) for 16th on RU's all-time list.
?Sophomore Macy Scott (Toms River, N.J.) has posted a personal-best two draw controls in back-to-back games.
?Puckhaber recorded two points (1g, 1a) and has contributed offensively with points in three consecutive games.
?Junior captain Taylor Pennell (New Egypt, N.J.) led Rutgers with three ground balls.
?Hofstra snapped a four-game Rutgers winning streak in the all-time series and dropped the Rutgers advantage to 22-10.

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