ELON, N.C. -- Elon University women's lacrosse finished its nonconference schedule on a high note as it delivered a 19-9 win over Winthrop on March 26.
 
"The goal for today was to make sure we were really focusing more so on the little things and staying disciplined throughout the game," said head coach Josh Hexter. "I think, overall, we took a big step in that direction and we made good adjustments throughout the game on both offense and defense. I was really proud of them for that."

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Winthrop took an early 2-1 lead just over five minutes into the game, with the lone Phoenix goal coming from Hannah McCarthy. With 7:47 on the clock, Gillian Curran ignited a 3-0 run that gave Elon a two-goal lead at the end of the first quarter (4-2).
-Both teams found the back of the net twice to open the second period, but Elon would then go on a 3-0 run to go up by five (9-4) with 2:06 remaining. Winthrop's Claire Witmer managed to score twice in the final minute to cut the maroon and gold lead to three at the half (9-6).
-Elon took over in the third quarter, outscoring the Eagles 8-0 to hold an 11-goal lead heading into the final frame.
-Cierra Hopson scored both of Elon's goals in the final 15 minutes of play as the Phoenix maintained its double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
 
NOTES
-Curran paced the Phoenix offense with five goals and six points on the day in addition to totaling a game-best five draw controls. The attack's goals and points matched per career high.
-Hopson and Bella Feldmann were the other Elon players with hat tricks. Hopson totaled four goals, while Feldmann followed with three. Both players matched their season highs.
-Through 10 games, Feldmann has tallied five hat tricks on the season.
-Goalie Paige Brown led both teams in ground balls with four for a new personal best.
-Julia Dalmass tied for the game high in caused turnovers (2).
-Collectively, the Phoenix outshot the Eagles 35-17. It also dominated in both draw controls (17-11) and ground balls (14-8).
-Prior to the game, Elon honored Curran for becoming the program leader in career draw controls. Curran recorded her 156th career draw control in Elon's 13-8 win at VCU on March 19, surpassing Stephanie Asher (2015-18).
-With the win, the maroon and gold's record improves to 4-6.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix will kick off conference play on Wednesday, March 30 when it hosts William & Mary at 7 p.m.