Elon, N.C. – Playing on emotion and with a heavy heart, sophomore Sammy Fisher tied a career-high with four goals and tied the program single-game record with 12 draw controls as the Elon lacrosse team defeated Queens 13-9 Wednesday evening. With the win, Elon improves to 1-1 on the season and Queens falls to 0-2.
 
Wearing green ribbons in support of Fisher, and in the memory of her friend who passed away in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting five years ago, Elon jumped out to a 10-2 lead and held off a late Royals rally.
 
CLICK HERE to read more about Fisher's journey.
 
ABOUT FISHER'S NIGHT

• Elon held a moment of silence prior to the game in honor of the 17 individuals (14 students and three staff members) who passed away in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting on Feb. 14, 2018.
• In remembrance of Joaquin Oliver, and in support of Fisher, the team wore green ribbons during the contest.
• Fisher responded in a big way, scoring four times in a five-minute stretch of the second quarter that allowed Elon to expand a three-goal lead to eight at 10-2. Those four goals tied her career high, which she also achieved in a win at Furman a year ago.
• Stepping into the circle to take draws, Fisher tied Elon's school record with 12. Former teammate Gillian Curren set the record with 12 draw controls on March 2 a year ago and then tied it against William & Mary on March 30.
• Fisher had a team-high six shots on goal and added a caused turnover.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon scored twice in the opening minutes of the game behind goals from Cierra Hopson and Anna Hackett for an early 2-0 lead. Queens answered back and tied the score but the Phoenix flurried late in the first.
• Elon scored three times in the final 2:08 with goals from Kaley Ehnow, Bridget Kelly and Hopson – her second of the contest.
• Fisher then set her imprint on the game early in the second quarter along with Hackett's second goal of the game, assisted by Kelly. Queens added a pair of late goals but Elon led 10-4 at the break.
• Queens tried to dig back from the deficit but the Royals scored the only goal of the third and still trailed 10-5 heading to the fourth.
• Hopson earned the hat trick early in the third and Hackett did the same just two minutes later and Elon looked to be in control up 12-5.
• But Queens would not go down easy, scoring four times in succession to get within three with 5:30 to go.
• The Elon defense tightened Catherine Merritt sealed the game on a goal with just under a minute to play for the 13-9 win.

 
STATS & NOTES

• Anna Hackett recorded the first hat trick of her career, in just her second collegiate game.
• Cierra Hopson had her second hat trick in as many games to start the 2023 season. She has a team-best seven goals and eight points through two games.
• Freshman Jessie Penner had a team-best three ground balls and added a caused turnover.
• Kailee Follette led Elon with two caused turnovers.
• Chloe Herghelgiu made six saves and allowed only five goals to record the win in goal.
• Elon outshot Queens 30-23 and held a 22-15 edge in shots on goal.
• Queens had 18 turnovers compared to 16 for Elon. The Phoenix were also 14-of-17 on clear attempts.
• Elon held a 14-11 advantage in ground balls and 16-10 in draw controls.
• Elon and Queens played for the first time in program history. For Queens, it was just the program's second game as an NCAA Division I program and first road contest.

 
FROM COACH HEXTER

• "We played looser for most of the game. Towards the end, we got a little tentative, but overall I was proud of them. For Sammy, when you are that emotional, she used this as an escape to let that all out. She played hard and really great. I could not be happier for her."

 
UP NEXT

• Elon closes out a season-opening, and season-long, three-game homestand Saturday as the Phoenix host VCU at noon.