Elon WLAX Claims First CAA Win over William & Mary

ELON, N.C. – It came down to the final seconds but the Elon women’s lacrosse was able to take its first Colonial Athletic Association victory today, April 12, with an 8-7 final over William & Mary in Rhodes Stadium.

After a shot by the Phoenix (8-6, 1-3) was saved with 20 seconds remaining, the Tribe (5-8, 1-2) managed to clear the ball but was not able to get a shot off before time expired, giving the maroon and gold the win as the clock hit zero.

Elon took 23 shots in the game, finished a near perfect 18-of-19 in clear attempts and won six draws, including three by Alexis Zadjura. The Phoenix claimed a 13-11 advantage in ground balls with a game-high four by Rachel Ramirez.

Stephanie Asher recorded a game-high three goals and had one assist on the day for Elon. The Phoenix also saw scores from Sloane Kessler, Abby Godfrey, Anna Vitton, Elle Hvozdovic and Jacie Cooper, along with assists by Kessler, Kelsey Dupere and Kelli Stack.

Ramirez tallied the win between the posts with a season-high 15 saves in the game.

Cooper netted the first Elon goal off an assist from Kessler just 1:25 into the game before Asher scored on a free-position shot, putting the Phoenix up 2-0 at the 26:11 mark. After the Tribe got on the board, the maroon and gold rattled off four straight goals for a 6-1 advantage with over 20 minutes remaining in the half with two scores by Asher and one each by Vitton and Godfrey.

With the Phoenix leading 7-2 with 18:43 left in the half after a goal by Hvozdovic, the Tribe netted two scores before the break to make it a 7-4 Elon edge.

W&M started the second frame with a goal by Shannon Quinn at the 20:46 mark to cut its deficit to two, 7-5. It wasn’t until 16 minutes later with 4:43 remaining that Kessler netted Elon’s first score of the half to put the Phoenix back up by three, 8-5.

After winning the ensuing draw, the Tribe scored again with 3:31 left and then made it a one-goal game, 8-7, with 1:50 on the clock. Asher won the next draw for the Phoenix and held on to the ball until the saved shot with 20 seconds left.

In the game, the Tribe outshot the Phoenix, 27-23, won 11 draws and went 14-of-15 in clear attempts. W&M saw two goals from Zoe Boger and scores from five other players. Both Meredith Crizer and Alex Lista saw time in goal with five and two goals, respectively, as Crizer took the loss.

Elon remains at home to host Hofstra in its next game on Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m. in Rhodes Stadium.