Elon Women’s Lacrosse Phoenix Claims 19-7 Victory Over Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Elon women’s lacrosse team remain undefeated in Atlantic Sun Conference play after a 19-7 victory at Howard today, April 19, in Greene Stadium. The Phoenix improves to 7-7 on the season and 3-0 in the A-Sun, while the Bison fall to 1-12 overall and 0-3 in the conference. The maroon and gold has officially clinched a spot in the A-Sun Women’s Lacrosse Tournament in two weeks that welcomes the top four teams in the league.

Elon outshot Howard, 37-22, in the 12-goal win and won the slight edge at the draw, 15-14. The Phoenix finished 13-of-15 in clear attempts and picked up 18 ground balls. The 19 goals marked a new team-high for the maroon and gold as nine players tallied points in the win.

Olivia Fernandez and Anna Vitton led the way with four goals each. Sydeny Hesselbein, and Emily Bishop both finished with three points after two goals and an assist. Molly Garrigan and Megan Griffin each netted two goals, the first of the year for Griffin, while Sloane Kessler, Megan Weissman and Kelli Stack all added one score on the day.

On defense, Griffin caused three turnovers and picked up a team-high four ground balls. Goalie Rachel Ramirez recorded six saves in the win after 13 shots on goal from the Bison.

Howard finished 7-of-16 in clear attempts and picked up 13 ground balls in the game as Jasmine Wilson took the loss after allowing 19 goals after 29 shots on goal and 10 saves.

With the game tied at two-all, Fernandez netted back-to-back goals for the Phoenix, including one on a free-position shot, to put Elon up 4-2 with 16:59 to play in the first half. After the Bison answered to pull within one, Hesselbein posted a man-up goal followed by Vitton and Bishop scores in the final 10 minutes to give the maroon and gold a 7-3 lead at the break.

In the second frame, the Phoenix came out on fire, scoring six straight goals in the first five minutes of play. Weissman and Vitton both netted unassisted goals less than 50 seconds apart to begin the half. After a free-position goal by Hesselbein, Fernandez, Garrigan and Kessler followed with scores in the span of 64 seconds for a 10-goal advantage, 13-3, with 25:17 remaining in the game.

The Bison posted two scores to cut its deficit to eight, 13-5, with 19:14 to play, but Elon responded with five unanswered goals. Bishop and Griffin each scored before back-to-back goals by Vitton and a free-position goal by Fernandez gave the Phoenix an 18-5 lead with just over 10 minutes left.

Howard’s Courtland Lackey found the goal on two scores before Stack posted the last goal of the game with 2:02 on the clock to close out the 12-goal victory for Elon.

The Phoenix will close out regular-season play next weekend with a trip down south to Florida to face Stetson and Jacksonville. The Phoenix faces the Haters on Friday, April 25, at 4 p.m. before taking on the Dolphins on Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m.