Elon’s Birdsell Earns First CAA WLAX Weekly Award

RICHMOND, Va. – Melissa Birdsell of Elon University women’s lacrosse has been named the CAA’s Rookie of the Week on Monday, April 24, after having a career game over the weekend against Hofstra.

In the 15-7 win on Senior Day against the Pride on Sunday, April 23, Birdsell notched her first-career hat trick in scoring three times on four shots after scoring seven goals on the year before the contest. All three goals were scored in the first 24 minutes of the game. Her second goal also went down as the game-winning tally.

The honor is Birdsell’s first-career CAA weekly award. Becky Gohsler of Delaware was named Player of the Week while Angie Benson of Towson earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Set to close its regular season this weekend on Saturday, April 29, Elon will trek to William & Mary for a 1 p.m. game in Williamsburg, Va. The Phoenix and Tribe have split each of the first two meetings to date. William & Mary is 3-13 this season and 0-5 in CAA action.

Elon has already locked up a spot in the CAA Tournament next month after clinching a third conference win Sunday. It will be the second straight season Elon has reached the conference tournament. The Phoenix will earn the No. 3 seed with a win at William & Mary. Should Elon lose, it would be the No. 3 seed if Drexel defeats Delaware, or the No. 4 seed if the Blue Hens top the Dragons. James Madison has already secured the No. 1 seed and Towson is the No. 2 seed. The tournament will be held May 5 and 7 at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Md.