HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (May 6, 2007) – Top-seeded Hofstra University captured its first CAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship title as they defeated No. 2 James Madison, 15-13, on Sunday afternoon at the James M. Shuart Stadium.

Hofstra was challenged as the Dukes inched back from a five-goal deficit at half time as they came back to tie the game at 13 with 11:45 to go in the contest.  Hofstra’s Becky Thorn scored the go-ahead goal nine seconds later and the Pride’s defense was able to hold James Madison for the duration of the game.  The Pride’s Kimberly Hillier secured the victory with a goal in the final 2:17 of the championship game.

Freshman midfielder Corrine Gandolfi led the Pride as she tallied five goals in the win.  Thorn, Lauren Whitcomb and Hillier each scored two goals a piece to help Hofstra to its championship title.  Maisie Osteen posted eight saves for the Pride in goal.

James Madison senior Kelly Berger led the Dukes with four goals, while CAA Player of the Year Annie Wagner finished the contest with three and Natasha Fuchs tallied two goals and a game-high four assists.  Kelly Wetzel made three saves for the Dukes in goal.

Both teams finished with 10 ground balls, but JMU had 16 draw controls versus Hofstra’s 14. 

Gandolfi scored the first goal of the game only 17 seconds into the half, while teammate K’Leigh Vanaman’s goal gave the Pride a 2-0 lead in the first 1:51 of the contest.  James Madison scored back-to-back goals to tie the game with 24:53 left in the first stanza. 

The score was tied 3-3 before Hofstra found the net for four straight goals to take a 7-3 lead.  The Dukes fought back with a pair of goals, and the Pride answered with three more to cushion the scoring gap to five goals. The two teams then each scored two goals in the last 4:30 of the first half.

The Pride took a 12-7 lead into the half as they were led by Gandolfi’s four goals.  Lauren Whitcomb tabbed a pair, while six other Pride players scored one goal.  Kelly Berger’s two goals and Natsha Fuchs’ two assists led the Dukes headed into the half.

Thorn was selected as the Most Outstanding Player and was joined by teammates Alysse Ruszkowski, Gandolfi, and Hillier on the All-Championship team. James Madison’s Berger, Julie Stone and Fuchs, Old Dominion’s Katie Veneziale and Kelly Kimener and Delaware’s Nicole Flego and Courtney Aburn were also on the 2007 Women’s Lacrosse All-Championship team. 

Hofstra will find out its next destination in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, May 7^th at 8:00 p.m. when the NCAA will announce the 2007 Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship bracket.