Freshman midfielder Stephanie Asher scored three goals as the Elon University women's lacrosse team defeated the William & Mary Tribe 8-7 today to win its first Colonial Athletic Association game this season.
Elon got off to a hot start, leading 6-1 after 10 minutes of play. Asher scored all three of her goals in the game during this time.
But William & Mary quickly got back in the game.
The Tribe went on a 3-1 run to end the half, capped off by a goal from senior midfielder Amanda Johnson with six minutes left in the half.
The Tribe continued to narrow the deficit after halftime thanks to a goal from sophomore midfielder Shannon Quinn. But the Phoenix sealed the win though when sophomore midfielder Sloane Kessler scored with 4:43 to play. Although Tribe scored twice to cut the deficit to one, Elon held on as time expired.
“In the last couple of games, I think we’ve gone in maybe a little bit nervous,” head coach Josh Hexter said. “Today, they went in with the attitude that they belonged. And they took it to them right away in that first half.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Ramirez had a superb performance in the win. She allowed seven goals and made 15 saves while William & Mary’s goalkeeper only recorded seven saves.
The victory gives the Phoenix its first win in CAA play this season and improves the team's record to 8-6 (1-3 CAA). William & Mary falls to 5-8 (1-2 CAA).
“We came out really sharp from warmups,” Kessler said. “I could tell that it was going to be a good day.”
The Phoenix will return to action on Friday when it hosts Hofstra at 5 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium.