Elon, N.C. – The Elon University lacrosse team opened the 10^th season in program history with a 12-11 loss to Old Dominion Saturday at Rudd Stadium. Cierra Hopson led Elon with four goals and an assist, while Caitlin Walsh debuted in goal for the Phoenix, making seven saves in 51 minutes of action.
 
Mikaela Buoscio tied a program record with seven caused turnovers in the contest, adding three ground balls and a draw control.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon and Old Dominion were tied at 10-10 after three quarters before the Phoenix's Hannah McCarthy posted her first goal of the season to give her team an 11-10 lead. Old Dominion scored goals with 7:28 to play and with 5:31 remaining to earn the win.
• Trailing 12-11, Elon had three possessions with an opportunity to even the scoring but the Phoenix was unable to capitalize.
• Old Dominion jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter but Elon answered back with three consecutive goals to take its first lead of the afternoon.
• The Monarchs scored four of the next five goals and led 6-4 after one quarter.
• Old Dominion still led 7-5 late in the second quarter when Cierra Hopson took over. She scored twice in the final 45 seconds of the half and then added a goal and an assist in the first two minutes of the third quarter to put Elon ahead 9-7.
• Old Dominion answered back with three straight goals but Elon's Bridget Kelly posted her second score of the day to tie it at 10-10 after three.

 
NOTABLE FACTS AND STATS

• Mikaela Buoscio caused seven turnovers, tying the program's single-game record. Melanie McHugh also forced seven in a game against William & Mary in 2017.
• Buoscio also picked up three ground balls, tying her career high, and a draw control.
• Cierra Hopson led Elon and tied a career-high with four goals and she added an assist for five points, a career-best. The sophomore attack had 23 goals and six assists in 16 games a year ago.
• Six different players scored at least one goal for Elon, including a goal from freshman Anna Hackett.
• Team captain Kailee Follette and true freshman Jessie Penner tied for team high honors with four ground balls. Follette added a team-best and career-high six draw controls.
• Sammy Fisher added five draw controls, scoring two goals of her own as well.
• Elon outshot Old Dominion 26-25, including 20-19 on goal. The Phoenix was 15-of-17 on clear attempts and forced 28 turnovers, committing just 19. Elon also held a 24-20 edge in ground balls.
• The Phoenix went 4-of-6 on free position shots, while Old Dominion was just 1-of-1.
• This was the first meeting in the all-time series between Elon and Old Dominion.
• Elon falls to 6-4 all-time in season openers and 6-4 in home openers.

 
FROM COACH HEXTER

• "I thought we were really ready to go. We're young and that showed with a lack of poise today. At the end of the day, that hurt us. We forced things that we don't practice." -- Josh Hexter

 
UP NEXT

• Elon will host Queens on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. and will conclude a season-opening three-game homestand by hosting VCU Saturday at noon.