The Elon University women’s lacrosse team defeated the College of William & Mary 8-7 Sunday to snap a three-game losing streak in Colonial Athletic Association play and garner momentum going into its final two regular season competitions.

“The Atlantic Sun was awesome [to be in last season]. We were very appreciative to be in there,” said head coach Josh Hexter. “The CAA is great, too, and the competition for us is really good.”

The Phoenix opened CAA play on the road April 3 against Towson University, losing 12-2. The Tigers took the lead early as redshirt senior attacker Andi Raymond scored two quick goals within the first five minutes of play. Towson continued to build the lead by scoring six unanswered goals. Though Elon freshman attacker Nicole Sinacori put the Phoenix on the board with 9:58 left in the first half, Elon trailed 7-1 by halftime.

After the intermission, the Tigers continued to make things difficult for the Phoenix, leading by as many as 11 points in the second half. Sinacori found the net once again with 3:54 left in the game, but it was too little, too late for the Phoenix.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Ramirez kept busy against Towson’s high-powered attack and allowed 12 goals on 27 shot attempts. Offensively, the Phoenix took 18 shots, 13 of which on goal.

Freshman midfielder Stephanie Asher took seven shots while freshman defender Alexis Zadjura won two draw controls.

After the loss to Towson, Elon traveled to the University of Delaware April 5 to face the Blue Hens. But the Phoenix lost once again, falling short 8-6.

Delaware’s dominant offense overwhelmed the Phoenix early in the contest. After a 1-1 tie early in the first half, the Blue Hens scored four unanswered goals, two of which were from junior attacker Casey Lyons.

Led by Asher and Sinacori’s four combined goals, Elon came within striking distance. While Asher scored with 8:09 remaining in the game to narrow the deficit to two, time quickly expired.

There were some positives in Elon’s second CAA loss.

Ramirez made 14 saves, and the Phoenix offense was efficient with Asher and Sinacori. As the team traveled to Harrisonburg, Virginia, for its final road contest of the regular season, it focused on playing more disciplined defense.

Elon’s last road competition against No. 24 James Madison University Friday featured several defensive lapses as the Dukes routed the Phoenix 22-5.

All three losses strengthened the Phoenix for Sunday’s home bout against William & Mary. The Tribe came into the contest with a 1-1 CAA record, while the Phoenix was winless at 0-3.

Elon got off to a hot start offensively, leading 6-1 after 10 minutes of play. Asher scored all three of her goals in the game during this 10-minute run.

But William & Mary quickly got back in the game by ending the first half on a 3-1 run. The Tribe continued to narrow the deficit after halftime thanks to a goal from sophomore midfielder Shannon

Quinn, but the Phoenix sealed the win when sophomore midfielder Sloane Kessler scored with 4:43 left to play.

“We came out really sharp from warmups,” Kessler said. “I could tell that it was going to be a good day.”

The win gives the Phoenix a 1-2 record in the CAA heading into Friday’s homestand against Hofstra University, a formidable opponent with a 9-4 (4-0 CAA) record.

Friday’s game will mark the second game of a three-game homestand to end the regular season. The Phoenix concludes CAA play against Drexel University Sunday. Since the Dragons are 3-11 overall and 0-4 in the CAA, the Phoenix has a solid chance on paper to end the regular season on a high note before tournament play begins.

“We want good competition every single game,” Hexter said. “That’s how you get better. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best competition you can find.” Hexter’s attitude has translated to the team.

“Everyone works hard no matter what year they are,” Kessler said. “We don’t really have classes on the team. We’re all one team,”

The Phoenix has found a good deal of success in home games this season, with a 6-1 record at Rhodes Stadium.

But Elon has been marred by poor performances on the road, especially in CAA play.

Since many of the players are underclassmen, the women’s lacrosse team has a unique chance to grow together as a program.

Hexter hopes the losses will serve as a learning experience for the young group to overcome in its future games.