ELON, N.C. – Behind a season-high 15 saves in the cage by Rachel Ramirez, Elon University women's lacrosse picked up its second CAA win of the season with a 6-3 victory over Delaware at Rudd Field on Sunday, April 16.
 
Ramirez and the Phoenix (10-5, 2-2 CAA) allowed just three goals in the victory over the Blue Hens (7-6, 2-1 CAA), marking the second-fewest goals allowed in a game this season and in program history. It falls one goal off the record of two, which came Friday, April 14, against Drexel at Rudd Field.
 
Stephanie Asher's three goals proved to be half of Elon's offensive output on the day. Kelsey Dupere, Abby Godfrey and Melissa Birdsell each scored once on the afternoon to help the Phoenix to the win. Dupere scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal with 16:11 to go in the second half. Godfrey also finished with a ground ball and four caused turnovers. Nicole Sinacori notched a team-high five ground balls while Asher, Ramirez and Olivia Fernandez picked up three.
 
Elon did a number on Delaware's top offensive threats, holding the Blue Hens' two leading scorers – Becky Gohsler and Jamie Schwartz – off the scoreboard all afternoon. The only point between the two of them came in the form of a Schwartz assists on Sydney Rausa's only goal of the game. The Blue Hens other two goal scorers were Kirsten Hale in the first half and Megan Santoleri on a free position shot early in the second half.
 
The Rundown
A low-scoring affair throughout the first 30 minutes of the game, Asher provided both Elon goals in the opening half. She got things going by breaking the ice nearly nine minutes into the afternoon on a free position shot to put Elon up 1-0. After the Blue Hens went up 2-1 with a pair of goals, Elon's defense caused a Rausa turnover with 24 seconds left in the half and drew a yellow card on Coley Ricci while clearing. After the stoppage, Elon completed its clear with 15 seconds left in the half and Asher drew a foul on Gohsler with 10 seconds left to earn a free position attempt. Going straight at goal, Asher scored with seven seconds on the clock to tie things up at 2-2 heading into halftime.
 
Out of the break, Godfrey scored less than two minutes into the half but it was answered by Santoleri's free position goal to cut the lead back to one at 3-2 with 22:13 to play. From there, Elon went on a 3-0 run in the final 16:11 and Ramirez came up with five key stops to earn the win. Making the difference down the stretch was Asher's goal with 5:18 to play that put Elon up 5-3 and Birdsell's tally just 50 seconds later to double the Delaware total.
 
Notes
- Delaware's first goal of the game snapped a streak of 41:41 between allowed goals for the Phoenix. Elon's last goal allowed against Drexel on Friday came with 6:53 to go in the first half. 
- Elon has now won 10 games for the second season in a row. It ties for the program's most in a single season, matching last year's 10-win campaign.
- Stephanie Asher extended her program record for goals to 48. She broke her own record of 44 on Friday against Drexel.
- With three points today, Asher also broke her own record for most points in a season, now standing at 56 on the year. The previous record was her 54 points as a freshman in 2015.
- With two free position goals, Asher has tied the program record for free position goals with 12 on the year. Olivia Fernandez previously set the mark at 12 back in 2014 as a freshman.
- Sloane Kessler still stands one assists away from tying her program record of 22.
- Rachel Ramirez and Abby Godfrey are now No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on the program's ground balls in a season chart. Ramirez has 26 on the year and Godfrey now has 25.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix will play its final regular season home game on Sunday, April 23, at 12 p.m. Elon will welcome Hofstra for a game that will be televised by Lax Sports Network. Sunday's game will also mark Senior Day for the program. This year's senior class is the first four-year members of the young program's history, having participated in Elon's first varsity game back in 2014.