WLAX: Late Surge Puts Panthers Over Phoenix

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Down by one goal at the half, the Elon women’s lacrosse team struggled in the second frame as High Point scored seven goals to take an11-4 win over the Phoenix today, March 30, in Vert Stadium.

The Phoenix (5-7) was outshot by the Panthers (4-4), 30-15, while the two teams were nearly even in draw controls with HPU taking a 9-8 advantage. Elon picked up 10 ground balls in the game and the defense caused seven turnovers.

Three players in the maroon and gold tallied points as all Elon goals were unassisted. Anna Vitton scored twice, while Olivia Fernandez and Sydney Hesselbein each posted one goal. Goalie Rachel Ramierez finished with 14 saves and a 56.0 save percentage.

Vitton started the scoring effort with a free-position goal at the 22:04 mark to put Elon up 1-0. Megan Weissman won the ensuing draw for the Phoenix that allowed Fernandez to score 36 seconds later and give the maroon and gold a 2-0 advantage with 21:28 left in the half.

The Panthers answered by scoring four straight goals for a 4-2 lead with under five minutes to play. Elon put another goal on the board after a Hesselbein score with 46 seconds left to pull the Phoenix within one of HPU, 4-3, at the break.

After an HPU score in the first five minutes of the second frame, Vitton netted her second goal of the game and 23rd of the season to make it a 5-4 game with 23:39 to play. The Panthers then rattled off six unanswered goals in the final 22 minutes of play to surge to a seven-goal victory, 11-4.

For the game, HPU was a perfect 18-of-18 in clear attempts, while Elon went 11-of-16. The Panthers had 18 ground balls in the game and saw points tallied from seven different players. Kendyl Gardner posted five goals for HPU to lead all players.

Elon will be back in action in two weeks when its hosts Atlantic Sun opponent Kennesaw State in its final home game of the season. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. in Rhodes Stadium.