University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Defeats Second Consecutive Top-20 Opponent in 13-8 Victory Against #20 Hofstra - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Freshman Ariana Parker scored a career-high seven goals as UAlbany upended nationally-ranked Hofstra, 13-8, in a non-conference game on Saturday, March 5 at John Fallon Field.

Hofstra (2-2) jumped out to a 4-2 lead behind the play of Jackie Ardolino, who had two of her three goals in that stretch. The sophomore attack scored on a free-position attempt with 18:30 remaining for the Pride, who are ranked No. 20 in the current IWLCA national poll.

UAlbany (3-0) regrouped with three unanswered to go in front. Parker did all of the scoring over a three-minute-and-22-second span. Ardolino connected in another free-position situation to draw her team even at five apiece. The Great Danes responded with three in a row to take an 8-5 lead to the locker room. Michelle Primomo put her team ahead and Nikki Branchini found the net on a free-position attempt with 13 seconds left in the period.

The Great Danes, who defeated No. 16 Penn State one week ago, broke the game open by scoring four consecutive times in the second half. Parker tallied a pair of goals and Taylor Frink added another in that decisive run. Amanda Pollock finished off a Branchini feed for a 12-5 advantage with 12:38 remaining.

Jill Maier had two goals and one assist for the Pride, a Colonial Athletic Association program who was coming off wins against Oregon and Denver. Goalkeeper Jackie Pandolf made 11 saves. Frink added two goals and one assist for the Great Danes, who defeated a national top-20 program for the third time in the program's Division I history.

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UAlbany 13, #20 Hofstra 8

Hofstra - Scoring: Jackie Ardolino 3-0, Jill Maier 2-1, Lindsay McKinnon 1-0, Maryann Miller 1-0, Jennalee Trombley 1-0, Claire Brady 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Jackie Pandolf (60:00, 11 saves, 13 GA).

UAlbany - Scoring: Ariana Parker 7-0, Taylor Frink 2-1; Nikki Branchini 1-1, Michelle Primomo 1-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-0, Amanda Pollock 1-0, Kathleen Lennon 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (60:00, 4 saves, 8 GA).