Despite a furious comeback attempt, the Elon University women's lacrosse team fell short Sunday, losing at Vanderbilt University 10-9.
After leading 3-2 at halftime, the Phoenix didn't score for 20 minutes, falling behind by five. Elon scored twice, but the Commodores responded with two goals of their own. The Phoenix trailed 10-5 with 3:30 to go.
Sophomore midfielder Maeve Cowley scored with 3:20 left, and sophomore midfielder Kelsey Dupere tallied a goal 31 seconds later. Then, just more than a minute later, sophomore midfielder Stephanie Asher scored her third goal of the game. Asher scored her fourth 40 seconds later.
Elon had cut the deficit by four goals in just 148 seconds, and trailed 10-9 with 1:02 to go. The Phoenix was fouled in the final minute, but a turnover with 10 seconds left ended the last chance for Elon to complete its comeback.
Asher led all players with four goals, giving her 14 on the season and the team lead. Junior attacker Sloane Kessler tallied three goals and an assist, and now has 13 goals and six assists through five games, leading the team with 19 points.
The loss in Nashville ends Elon's four-game winning streak, and drops the Phoenix to 4-1 on the year. Elon starts a three-game homestand at 6 p.m. Friday, against the State University of New York at Albany.