Elon Phoenix WLAX Defeats Owls with Program-Record 24 Goals

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s lacrosse team opened the 2015 season in impressive fashion with a 24-8 victory over visiting Kennesaw State today, Jan. 31, in Rhodes Stadium. The 24 goals by the Phoenix marked a new program record, along with the team’s largest ever margin of victory.

Elon saw five goals from rookie Stephanie Asher, along with one assist, while Sloane Kessler notched a program and career-high four assists and scored three goals. Jacie Cooper, Anna Vitton and Kelsey Dupere also all tallied three goals in the game.

The Phoenix outshot the Owls, 43-13, and won 24 of the 35 draws. The maroon and gold was a near perfect 11-of-12 on clear attempts and picked up 19 ground balls. Elon goalie Rachel Ramirez claimed the win between the pipes and had three saves on the day.

Kira Oberle netted the first goal of the season 33 seconds into the game to help the Phoenix rattle off five straight goals in first seven minutes, including two scores by Dupere. KSU’s Sydney Farwick got the Owls on the board at the 20:14 mark before goals by Elle Hvozdovic, Vitton and Kessler moved Elon ahead, 8-1, with 18:59 left in the half.

After two free-position shots by Farwick made it a 9-3 Elon edge, the Phoenix netted four more goals to KSU’s two before the break to lead 13-5 at the end of the first frame.

Eight seconds into the second half, Dupere got the maroon and gold on the board with her third score of the day to start an 8-0 run, including three straight by Asher, to move ahead 21-5 with 16:31 left in the game. Both the Phoenix and the Owls scored three more goals in the remaining 15 minutes to keep the advantage at 16 goals for Elon.

Overall, KSU finished 9-of-13 in clear attempts, scored on 3-of-4 free-position shots and saw four goals from Farwick. Owl goalie Elaine Bradley, who recorded the loss, posted 10 saves in the game.

Elon’s Tori Cipollone also saw time between the nets and recorded one save. Overall, Asher scored five goals off nine shots, all on goal, and also claimed three draws. Godfrey, Lane Huger, Dupere, Oberle and Cooper also tallied three draws, while Godfrey picked up a team-high three ground balls.

The Phoenix remains home next week to host Duke in Rhodes Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m.