ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s lacrosse team led by one at the break but five unanswered in the second half for No. 17 Towson helped the Tigers to an 11-9 final today, April 10, at Rudd Field. The Phoenix closed the gap to one with just a few minutes remaining but was not able to pull off the upset and knock off its second ranked opponent of the season.
The Phoenix (8-4, 1-1 CAA) outshot the Tigers, 18-17, and finished 13-of-17 in clear attempts. The maroon and gold claimed 12 draws and picked up another 12 ground balls on the day. Anna Vitton netted a season-high three goals, taking only three shots in the game, while Maeve Cowley also tallied three points with one goal and two assists. Shelby Scanlin and Abby Godfrey each notched another two scores followed by one goal and one assist from Stephanie Asher.
Alexis Zadjura claimed three draws for Elon, while Melanie McHugh had a team-high two caused turnovers and three ground balls. Rachel Ramirez also picked up three ground balls and tallied three saves for the Phoenix in goal.
The Tigers (9-2, 2-0 CAA) finished with 15 ground balls, 13 draw controls and went 12-of-16 in clear attempts. TU saw a game-high six points from Kaitlyn Montalbano after two goals and four assists, another game-high four ground balls, four caused turnovers and two draws. Carly Tellekamp finished with three goals followed by two each from Jenna Kerr and Natalie Sulmonte, while Breanna Hamm claimed a game-high five draws. Angie Benson claimed the win between the pipes with seven saves on the day.
Highlights
A Towson turnover led to a ground ball pickup by Sloane Kessler who found Asher before she was fouled. Asher converted a free-position shot into a goal to get the Phoenix on the board at the 22:33 mark. Scanlin found the back of the net under seven minutes later to make it a 2-0 Elon lead.
The Tigers netted its first score of the game with 14:08 left in the half before tying the game, 2-2, with 13:02 on the clock off a free-position goal by Michelle Gildea.
A free-position goal by Cowley with 10:32 remaining returned the maroon and gold to the lead, 3-2, before TU evened the game for the second time just 15 seconds later off a goal by Montalbano.
After Towson took its first lead of the game, 4-3, at the 5:01 mark, Asher found Vitton off a free-position attempt, who netted a score with 35 seconds left to even the game, 4-all. Zadjura claimed the ensuing draw, allowing Cowley to get the ball to Vitton with two ticks remaining on the clock for her second straight goal to put Elon in front, 5-4, at the break.
The Tigers came out of halftime on a tear, scoring five straight goals, including three by Tellekamp, by the 19:02 mark to take a 9-5 advantage. Vitton broke the drought for the Phoenix off a pass from Kessler after a free-position attempt with 15:01 on the clock before Godfrey notched her eighth score of the season to bring the maroon and gold within two, 9-7.
After TU put another score on the board, Cowley found Godfrey for her second goal of the game with under five minutes remaining to keep the gap at two, 10-8. With 3:53 on the clock, a Towson foul allowed for a free-position opportunity for the Phoenix. Scanlin scored on the man-up advantage to make it a one-goal game, 10-9.
Vitton claimed the draw for the maroon and gold but Elon was unable to get the ball in the net as the Tigers took possession and were able to keep it away from the Phoenix for over two minutes. With 31 seconds remaining, Towson netted its final score for the two-goal differential.
Next Up
The Phoenix plays its final home game of the season next Friday, April 15, against visiting James Madison. The game will also mark Senior Night for the program’s two seniors – Megan Griffin and Kelli Stack. The opening draw is set for 7 p.m. at Rudd Field.