The Elon University women’s lacrosse team defeated Coastal Carolina University 11-6 on Friday. The Phoenix had three players finish with multiple goals, including freshman midfielder Kelsey Dupere, who had four.
“I thought we were really well connected tonight,” head coach Josh Hexter said. “From when we came out in our walkthroughs right up until the end of the game, I felt like the girls were really well connected and really in tune with each other.”
Elon established a presence early, as freshman attacker Stephanie Asher netted two goals in the first 12 minutes of play. Coastal Carolina answered with 15:06 remaining to make the score 2-1. After a Dupere goal, the Chanticleers scored two goals in a row to tie the score at three. With 1:13 to play in the first half, Asher again found the net, giving the Phoenix a 4-3 lead at halftime.
After the intermission, Coastal Carolina tied the game on the back of a Courtney Genovese goal. Elon responded with three consecutive goals of its own to make it a 7-4 game, including another by Dupere. The Chanticleers were unable to respond and trailed for the rest of the game, securing the win for the Phoenix.
Elon had a strong game offensively, as Asher finished with three goals and sophomore midfielder Molly Garrigan netted two. Sophomore attacker Sloane Kessler had two assists on the day, and the Phoenix outshot the Chanticleers, 23-13. The Chanticleers committed 36 fouls, while Elon only committed 22, giving the Phoenix extra opportunities offensively.
Sophomore goalie Rachel Ramirez allowed six goals, but made four saves for the Phoenix. Elon also fielded 14 ground balls compared to Coastal Carolina’s 11. Elon won the battle for draw-controls, 11-8, thanks in large part to Garrigan, who had five.
The victory gives the Phoenix an overall record of 4-3, while Coastal Carolina drops to 1-3 with the loss. Elon’s next game is Mar. 11, when High Point University comes to Rhodes Stadium to take on the Phoenix at 6 p.m.
“We play well at home, and I would expect that to continue,” Hexter said. “We had too many careless mistakes that we have to clean up before we play High Point.”