ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s lacrosse team was not able to knock off its second ranked opponent of the season, falling to No. 4 North Carolina, 13-2, tonight, March 15, at Rudd Field.
The Phoenix (5-3) took 17 shots in the game and won the advantage in ground balls, 13-11. Elon finished 9-of-17 in clear attempts and claimed four draws in the game.
Elon goalie Rachel Ramirez set a new program single-game high with five caused turnovers and also matched her season-high with five ground balls. Now 5-3 on the season, the junior tallied seven saves between the posts after facing 20 shots on goal.
Nicole Sinacori and Stephanie Asher netted the maroon and gold’s two scores on the night, while Abby Godfrey, Lane Huger and Sloane Kessler all claimed two ground balls in the game.
The Tar Heels (6-2) finished with 27 shots in the game, eight less than the team’s average this season, claimed 13 draws and went 14-of-17 in clear attempts. Sammy Jo Tracy led all players with four points after three goals and one assist followed by three points from each Sydney Holman, Molly Hendrick and Aly Messinger. Gianna Bowe tallied a game-high five draws, while Caylee Waters picked up the win in goal (6-1) after six saves and one ground ball.
Highlights
After Hendrick netted the first two goals of the game to give UNC a 2-0 lead by the 20:06 mark, the Tar Heels scored four straight to make it a 6-0 game with just over nine minutes remaining in the half.
The Phoenix defense kept the Tar Heels without a shot for over eight minutes, while Sinacori got the maroon and gold on the board with a free-position goal, her third score of the season, with 1:46 on the clock. UNC managed to close out the half with two goals in the final 35 seconds for an 8-1 advantage at the break.
The Tar Heels began the second frame with a free-position goal in the first two minutes followed by back-to-back goals by Bowe for an 11-1 lead with 6:34 remaining.
With the Phoenix trailing 12-1, Asher netted her 21st goal of the season after a free-position attempt for Elon with 3:23 left in game. UNC claimed its final goal of the game in the last two minutes for the final differential.
Next Up
Elon goes on the road to face Davidson for the third straight year in its next game on Saturday, March 19. The opening draw is set for 2 p.m. in Davidson, N.C.