Hofstra geared for offensive fireworks

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A new 90-second shot clock was introduced in college women’s lacrosse for the 2017 season providing further impetus for Hofstra to electrify its offense.

On the heels of a disappointing three-win 2016 campaign, fifth-year head coach Shannon Smith looked to implement a more up-tempo style this spring. Hofstra exploded out of the gate averaging 14 goals in its first three games, a trend Smith hopes continues in the Pride’s journey to returning as one of the top teams in the Colonial Athletic Association.

“Our goal is definitely to push the ball and play very much a high risk, high reward offense,” said Smith, who captured a Tewaaraton Trophy during her storied playing career at Northwestern. “We want the kids to play fast and play creative.”

Leading the charge in Hofstra’s renewed offensive attack is freshman midfielder Alyssa Parrella, who earned back-to-back CAA Rookie of the Week awards to open her collegiate career. The Miller Place High School product achieved 21 points on 15 goals and six assists in her first three games including five tallies in a season-opening 15-5 win at Bucknell on Feb. 18. “Alyssa has tremendous athleticism,” Smith said. “She has a lot of confidence.”

Parrella has plenty of support near the net from multiple scoring threats including sophomore attacker Lexi Lenaghan, a Massachusetts native who scored 18 goals as a freshman and registered four in the Bucknell win. Another New Englander, Drew Shapiro of Bedford, N.H., is also a large focal point of the offense and tallied two straight hat tricks against Bucknell and Wagner to open her junior season. Junior midfielder Carlee Ancona from East Islip achieved eight points in her first three games and adds an additional scoring weapon.

Red-shirt senior midfielder Becky Conto provides Hofstra a veteran presence on offense, draw controls and with leadership. The West Hempstead native and former Sacred Heart Academy standout tallied 10 goals and 27 draw controls last season before suffering a season-ending injury in an 11-9 win against Columbia on April 2. “She has a lot of experience under her belt,” Smith said of the fifth-year player.  “She has been a big help on the offensive side.”

Hofstra has athleticism on the defensive side of the ball to complement its explosive offense. Junior Amanda Seekamp, a former All-Suffolk County player from East Hampton, switched from midfield to defense for her junior season and made an immediate impact with two caused turnovers in the Bucknell win. Fellow junior Shea McAvoy forced eight turnovers in the Pride’s first three games from the defensive midfield spot with sophomore defender Rachel Gregory also stepping up early in the spring.

Freshman defender Darcie Smith has impressed early in her Hofstra career after shining at Wantagh High School, where she helped lead the Warriors to a county title in 2016. The versatile Smith scored 66 goals at Wantagh and opened her collegiate journey on defense with six ground balls in the season-opener at Bucknell. “She plays with a lot of heart and hustle,” Smith said. “She is only going to get better.”

The defensive unit plays in front of sophomore goalie Maddie Fields, who made five starts as a freshman. The Maryland native recorded seven saves in the Bucknell win and seven stops in a 19-14 loss at Fairfield on Feb. 25. “We are looking for big things from her this season,” Smith said of Fields. “She has a lot of energy.”

Hofstra is next in action for home games this Saturday against Johns Hopkins at 1 p.m. and March 18 versus Quinnipiac at noon. The Pride will play three CAA games at Shuart Stadium on April 14 against James Madison, Towson on April 16 and William & Mary on April 21.

Cancer Battle Draws Inspiration

Hofstra added two special team honorary team members in late January that are inspiring the Pride this season.

The Pride adopted six-year old Morgan Leary, who was diagnosed with a PNET brain tumor at the age of six in August of 2014, and her twin sister Emma into the program in association with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.  The girls from Center Moriches attended Hofstra’s 14-10 win against Wagner on Feb. 21 and Smith hopes the family will be able to attend many more home games this spring.

“It’s a huge inspiration to see the fighting spirit,” said Smith of Leary’s cancer battle. “It’s touching for the team to see that.”