NEWARK, Del. – Trailing by six goals in the second half, the Elon women’s lacrosse team rallied to pull within two but was unable to complete the comeback, falling to Delaware, 8-6, today, April 5.
The Phoenix (7-5, 0-2) took nine shots in the game, all on goal, with six of those chances finding the back of the net, including 2-of-2 in free-position shots. Elon claimed six draw controls, led by two from Abby Godfrey, picked up seven ground balls and went 9-of-15 in clear attempts.
Elon saw three points in the game from Nicole Sinacori after two goals and one assist by the rookie. Stephanie Asher also netted two goals on the day, while Anna Vitton and Jacie Cooper each posted goals for the maroon and gold.
Despite the loss, Rachel Ramirez recorded a season-high 14 saves to post a 63.6 save percentage in the game and picked up a game-high four ground balls.
The Blue Hens (9-4, 2-0) outshot the Phoenix, 32-9, and won 10 draw controls in the game. UD saw three goals from Casey Lyons and two by Kara Dattellas, while Alex Zaugra tallied three saves in the win between the pipes.
After the Blue Hens took a 1-0 lead, the Phoenix answered at the 20:14 mark with an Asher goal on a free-position shot to even the game at one-all. UD managed to rattle off four straight scores in a four-minute span to take a 5-1 advantage with 14:07 left in the half.
Vitton broke the drought for the Phoenix, scoring on another free-position opportunity to close the gap to three, 5-2, with 12:40 remaining. The Blue Hens posted two more goals before the break to lead 7-2 at the half.
UD scored out of the break to make it an 8-2 edge before a caused turnover and ground ball by Ramirez led to a Cooper goal, off an assist by Sinacori, to make it a five-score deficit, 8-3, with 22:14 left to play.
Sinacori followed the assist with two straight goals of her own in a two and a half minute span to close the gap to three, 8-5, with 11:36 remaining. Asher netted her second goal of the game, and 35th of the season, to make it four straight scores for the Phoenix and bring the maroon and gold within two, 8-6, with just 8:09 left in the game. Elon was unable to get another shot off in the game as the Blue Hens held on for the two-goal win.
The Phoenix plays next at James Madison on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in Harrisonburg, Va., before returning home to host William & Mary in Rhodes Stadium at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 12.