Elon, N.C. – The Elon University lacrosse team led Virginia Tech 8-7 at halftime, but the Hokies outscored the Phoenix 10-3 in the final 30 minutes for a 17-11 win Wednesday evening at Rudd Field. Sophomore Catherine Merritt posted her third consecutive hat trick and totaled five points (three goals and two assists), while freshman Anna Hackett also had three goals in the defeat.
 
Virginia Tech improves to 2-4 with the win and Elon falls to 3-4.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Virginia Tech scored the game's opening goal in just 49 seconds but Elon dominated the remainder of the first quarter. Anna Hackett scored twice and Kaley Ehnow had a goal and an assist as Elon went on a 5-1 run for a 5-2 lead after the first period.
• The Hokies rebounded with five consecutive goals over the first 11 minutes of the second quarter to take a 7-5 lead. But Elon struck back late. Ehnow added her second goal of the contest with 2:51 to play and Catherine Merritt tied the game with 1:09 to play in the half. Sammy Fisher then gave Elon the lead heading into the half on a goal with 16 seconds left.
•  Virginia Tech opened the third quarter with two goals to go ahead 9-8 before the teams combined to go almost seven minutes without scoring. Merritt completed her hat trick with 5:47 to go to tie the score at 9-9.
• Over the final four minutes of the third quarter, Virginia Tech scored three straight for a 12-9 advantage heading to the fourth.
• Virginia Tech closed out the game with a 5-2 fourth quarter to earn the victory.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Catherine Merritt has 11 goals and three assists over the past three games. She had just one goal over the first four games of the season.
• Anna Hackett recorded her fourth hat trick of the season and second in a row.
• With two goals in the game, sophomore Cierra Hopson now has 40 for her career. She ranks tenth in Elon history in career goals.
• Freshman Jessie Penner had a team and career-high five ground balls. She added four draw controls (the first four of her career) and a caused turnover.
• Virginia Tech outshot Elon 28-26 and 23-20 on shots on goal.
• Elon had 14 turnovers, compared to 16 for Virginia Tech.
• Virginia Tech entered the contest with one of the stingiest defenses in the country but Elon's 11 goals were tied for the second-most the Hokies have allowed this year.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon will host East Carolina Sunday at noon before playing at High Point Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the team's final non-conference tune-up.