FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 17 (8-5, 2-1 CAA)
Hofstra 16 (3-9, 0-3 CAA)

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Cassidy Orban scored 1:09 into overtime as the Monmouth University women's lacrosse team rallied for a 17-16 win over Hofstra in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play on Saturday afternoon in Kessler Stadium.
 
It was the third straight one-goal game for the Hawks to open conference play. Ella Spears led the Hawks with four goals and two assists in the contest while Maddie Murphy chipped in three goals. Orban had a strong all-around day as she had two goals, five draw controls and four caused turnovers. Katie Kelly led Hofstra with five goals and one assist. 
 
The Hawks had the offense firing early as they scored seven times in the first 15 minutes of the game including three goals from Murphy. Hofstra outscored the Hawks 5-3 in the second but Monmouth held a 10-9 edge at the break. Gia Mitchell had seven first half saves for Monmouth. 
 
Monmouth scored two of the three goals in the third period and held a 12-10 lead with 15 minutes to play. 
 
Hofstra scored five of the first seven goals in the fourth quarter and took a 15-14 lead with 3:59 to play. Spears tied the game up on a free position goal at 2:20. Hofstra went back on top on a Kerry Walser goal with 1:01 showing on the clock. 
 
After Hofstra won the ensuing draw control, Mary Kate George delivered a huge caused turnover. Shea Berigan was able to convert a free position attempt with 12 seconds left and the game was tied at 16-16. Neither team was able to get off a shot in the final 11 seconds of regulation.
 
Hofstra won the opening draw control of overtime and was awarded a free position attempt on a Monmouth foul. However, the Pride player was called for moving early and the Hawks took the ball down the other end and Orban scored for the win. 

NOTES & QUOTES
"I am so proud of this whole team! IT was such a fun day of college lacrosse with so many exciting big plays at the right moment. The last few weeks, the vibes of this team have been incredible and I'm thrilled for this group that they earned this win after all the hard work and energy they have put into making this a special team."
- Head coach Jordan Trautman

- It was the third straight one-goal game for the Hawks. It's the first time since 2019 they have played three straight one-goal games (both times 2-1 in that stretch).
- It was the first ever meeting between the Hawks and Pride. 
- Monmouth improves to 8-2 on the year when they score 11 or more goals in a game. It was Monmouth's first win of the year (in three games) when allowing 16 or more goals.
- The Hawks had 10 caused turnovers in the game. Monmouth is 7-2 on the year when it records 10 or more caused turnovers in a game. 
- It was the second straight overtime game for the Hawks, who improved to 1-1 in those contests. 

 NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Ella Spears had a career-high six points on four goals and two assists in the contest. It was her first career hat trick.
- Maddie Murphy finished with three goals in the game for her first hat trick of the season and third of her career. 
- Caroline Brennan contributed a pair of assists in the game. She has now recorded a point in 31 straight games for the Hawks. 
- Mya Brock finished with a career-high four assists in the contest.  
- Gia Mitchell finished with 12 saves in the game. It was her fourth game this season with 10 or more saves in a game. 
- Cassidy Orban did a little bit of everything for the Hawks in the game as she had two goals, five draw controls, four caused turnovers and three ground balls. It was her eighth game this season with at least five draw controls in a game.   

NEXT UP
Monmouth is back in action on Friday, April 7 when it hosts No. 6 Stony Brook at 1 p.m.