ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women's lacrosse team returned to the CAA Tournament for the second consecutive season but fell to top-seeded and nationally ranked No. 19 Stony Brook in Thursday's semifinal matchup on May 1. The Phoenix jumped out to a promising start but the Seawolves used a 14-1 run across the final three quarters to pull away for a 15-4 victory.

Elon finishes the 2025 season with a 9-8 overall record, matching its mark from 2024. The result marks the program's first back-to-back winning seasons since 2016–17 (excluding the shortened 2020 season). Stony Brook improves to 14-4 and will host Saturday's CAA Championship at 12:30 p.m, where it will face the winner of Drexel and Delaware.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both defenses came out strong to start the game, with Stony Brook goalie Natalia Altebrando tallying five saves in the opening quarter. The first goal of the game came just over six minutes in, when Charlotte Wilmoth found the back of the net for the Seawolves.
• Elon responded with a 3-0 run to close the first quarter. Sammy Fisher scored twice, including a buzzer-beater, while Carley Sgueglia added one to give the Phoenix a 3-1 lead heading into the second.
• Stony Brook bounced back in the second quarter with a 5-0 run, holding Elon scoreless for the entire frame. Three of those goals came from the Fusco sisters, two from Alex Fusco in a 19-second span and a final strike from Julia Fusco as time expired. Four of the five goals came on free-position shots, helping the Seawolves take a 6-3 lead into halftime.
• The Seawolves continued to excel through the third quarter, adding six more goals in the frame and increasing the run to a 11-1 advantage, increasing the lead to 12-4 in favor of Stony Brook.
• Stony Brook wrapped up with a solid fourth quarter with three goals, and holding Elon scoreless for the final 15 minutes.

NOTES AND STATS

• Sammy Fisher led Elon with two goals.
• Carley Sgueglia and Lillian Austin each scored a goal.
•  Ana Lee Vandiver tallied Elon's lone assist in the game.
• Jessie Precorded a team and season-high five ground balls, tying her career-best.
• Caitlin Walsh posted a season-high 12 saves and a .444 save percentage.
• Elon narrowly lost the draw control battle, 11-10. MJ Santa Barbara had six draw controls, and Fisher added four.
• Stony Brook remains unbeaten in the all-time series, 5-0.