PHILADELPHIA – Even with two late goals, the third-seeded Elon women's lacrosse team couldn't overcome a 5-3 deficit in the second half to knock off second-seeded Towson, falling by an 8-6 final in the semifinals of the CAA Women's Lacrosse Championship today, May 6, in rainy and windy conditions at Drexel's Vidas Field.
 
The Phoenix (10-7) took 20 shots in the game, claimed an 11-5 advantage in draw controls, bettered the Tigers (14-3), 17-13, in ground balls and finished 10-of-12 in clear attempts. Stephanie Asher led Elon with four goals off six shots to go along with one ground ball. Shelby Scanlin and Abby Godfrey each netted scores for the maroon and gold, while both Sloane Kessler and Grace Simpson tallied assists.
 
Scanlin claimed a game-high three draws followed by two by each Olivia Fernandez, Melanie McHugh and Alexis Zadjura. Rachel Ramirez finishes the season 10-7 in goal for the Phoenix after facing 20 shots by the Tigers, 17 of which were on goal, and recording nine saves. The junior also matched a program-record with seven ground balls.
 
The Tigers saw two scores in the game by Jenna Kerr, while Samantha Brookhart had three points after a goal and two assists. Angie Benson got the win between the pipes and had eight saves in the game.
 
Highlights
After Towson took a quick 1-0 lead, Elon answered with a goal by Godfrey at the 24:30 mark. Zadjura won the ensuing draw, allowing Kessler to quickly get the ball to Asher to put the Phoenix in front, 2-1, with 23:55 on the clock.

WATCH: Stephanie Asher puts one away to get the Phoenix its second goal of the afternoon. #CAAChamps #ELONvTU https://t.co/JFx98FeGA0

— Elon Women's Lax (@ElonWLax) May 6, 2016

A free-position goal by the Tigers evened the game at 23:03 before Asher netted her second of the game and 36th of the season with 21:37 remaining. The Elon defense continued to play outstanding, keeping TU without a shot while the Phoenix played two down due to yellow cards.
 
Towson tied the game with 6:34 on the clock after Kerr's second goal of the game. With three ticks remaining, Ramirez tallied another great save, her seventh of the half, to keep the game at three-all at the break.

Rachel Ramirez comes up with a big save just as time expires in the first half! #ELONvTU #CAAChamps https://t.co/rNvLfaQTUo

— Elon Women's Lax (@ElonWLax) May 6, 2016

The Tigers claimed the momentum in the second half, tallying two scores to lead 5-3 by the 21:30 mark. Natalie Sulmonte added a goal with 13:28 on the clock for a 6-3 TU advantage. Asher ended the scoring drought for the Phoenix, netting her third of the game with 12:16 remaining to close the gap to two, 6-4.

GOAL! Stephanie Asher gets the Phoenix on the board for the first time in the 2nd half. #CAAChamps #ELONvTU https://t.co/18CLEivRtB

— Elon Women's Lax (@ElonWLax) May 6, 2016

Towson added two goals to extend its lead to as much as four, 8-4, with just under six minutes left in the game. The Phoenix would not give up as Asher scored her fourth goal of the game and 38th of the season with 1:43 on the clock to make it 8-5. After McHugh won the draw, Simpson found Scanlin with 57 seconds left to pull the maroon and gold within two, 8-6. However, there was not enough time left for Elon to complete the comeback.

ELON SCORES AGAIN! Elon will not go down without a fight, making the score 8-6 with under a minute to go. #CAAChamps https://t.co/5HoEBG9hYq

— Elon Women's Lax (@ElonWLax) May 6, 2016