Elon WLAX Phoenix Hosts Panthers in Mid-Week Game Wednesday

ELON, N.C. – After returning home for the first time in several weeks, the Elon women’s lacrosse team (4-3) remains at familiar Rhodes Stadium to host local-opponent High Point (1-5) on Wednesday, March 11, at 6 p.m.

Looking Back
Leading by just one at the break, the Elon used a strong second half to take an 11-6 win over Coastal Carolina in its last game on Friday. Led by four goals from rookie Kelsey Dupere, Elon outshot Coastal, 23-13, en route to a 7-3 advantage in the second frame. Stephanie Asher netted three goals for the maroon and gold followed by Molly Garrigan with two scores and a team-high five draw controls. Nicole Sinacori and Jacie Cooper also finished with goals in the game, while Sloane Kessler tallied two assists. Goalie Rachel Ramirez recorded four saves between the pipes to claim the win and also picked up a game-high five ground balls.

Scouting the Panthers
HPU is 1-5 on the season after a 13-11 setback against Vermont at home on March 4. The Panthers are coming off its second straight Big South Championship and NCAA appearance and returns 18 letter winners and three preseason all-conference performers from. HPU is scoring 7.83 goals per game so far this season and owns a 40.2 team shot percentage, taking 19.5 shots per game. The team is led by nine goals and seven assists on the season from Allie Foard, who also has a 69.2 shot percentage, while Kendyl Gardner has contributed another nine goals so far this year. Goalie Julia Burns ranks second in the nation in saves with 64 and seventh in saves per game (10.67/game).

Series Information
The Phoenix and the Panthers met last year during Elon’s inaugural season in High Point, N.C., on March 30. HPU claimed the win, 11-4, to take a 1-0 advantage in the series. The maroon and gold saw two goals by Anna Vitton in the game and another by Olivia Fernandez, while Rachel Ramirez tallied 14 saves.

Another Rookie Honored
On March 10, the CAA named Kelsey Dupere the Rookie of the Week, marking the second time this season a Phoenix player has earned that honor. Dupere took five shots in the game against Coastal Carolina, four of which resulted in scores, for an 80.0 shot and shot-on-goal percentage. The Raleigh, N.C., native also claimed one ground ball, one draw control and one caused turnover in the game.

National Rankings
In the latest NCAA national rankings, Elon ranks 22nd in the country in points with 98 on the season and 21st in ground balls per game (18.57/game) . Individually, Stephanie Asher ranks ninth in goals (20) and 22nd points (24), while Sloane Kessler is seventh in assists with 12 total. Rachel Ramirez ranks seventh nationally in saves with 57 on the season and 26th in saves per game with 8.14/game.

Next Up
After a 10-day break, the Phoenix hosts Davidson on Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium.