ELON – The Elon women's lacrosse team (3-3) dropped its first home contest of the season Tuesday, falling 16-5 to No. 11 Notre Dame (6-2) at Rudd Field.  

The Phoenix trailed the nationally ranked Fighting Irish by just three at halftime, limiting Notre Dame to just six first-half goals. However, the Irish pulled away in the final 30 minutes to secure the victory.

Five different Phoenix scored, with Danielle Swietoniowski adding an assist for a team-best two points. Caitlin Walsh made a season-high 11 saves in goal.

How It Happened

• The Fighting Irish raced out to a 3-0 lead and held a 5-1 advantage after the first quarter. Elon's lone goal came on a free position shot from Mackenzie Coleman.
• Elon netted the first two goals of the second quarter, with Ana Lee Vandiver scoring at the 10:40 mark after picking up a rebound off a Mia Zebley shot that was initially saved by Notre Dame's goalkeeper. Lillian Austin then converted on a Swietoniowski feed from behind the net to cut the Irish lead to 5-3.
• Elon held Notre Dame scoreless for 13:07 of gametime until Grace Maroney beat the shot clock with two minutes left in the second quarter to give Notre Dame a three-goal lead going into halftime.
• Notre Dame scored a pair of quick goals out of the locker room on its way to outscoring Elon 4-1 in the third quarter. Swietoniowski scored for Elon on a pass from Arianna Kouchalakos.
• The Fighting Irish stretched its lead in the fourth quarter, besting the Phoenix 6-1 in the final frame. Maddie Engelkraut scored a free position goal for Elon in the period.

 
Notable Numbers

• After not scoring a free position goal against High Point, the Phoenix netted a pair against the Fighting Irish, going 2-for-5 on the day.
• Coleman and Engelkraut both netted their third goals of the season. All three of Engelkraut's goals have come on free position shots.
• Swietoniowski turned in her third straight multi-point outing, as the sophomore now has multiple points in four of six games this season.
• Kouchalakos notched her first point of the campaign with her assist on Swietoniowski's goal.
• Notre Dame outshot the Phoenix, 38-12. All 12 of Elon's shots found the target, with Austin, Swietoniowski, Vandiver and Anna Hackett each recording two attempts.
• Walsh's 11 saves were her most in a game this season and just two shy of a career best. It was her 12th career game with 10-plus stops. The senior also scooped a team-best four ground balls.
• Jessie Penner caused two turnovers to lead the Phoenix, her first game this season with multiple forced turnovers. Reagan Kuehn led all Phoenix field players with three ground balls.
• Notre Dame outpaced Elon in the draw circle, 15-6. Austin controlled a team-best three draws.
• Two of Elon's three losses this season have come against ACC opponents.

 
Up Next
Elon begins conference play Saturday with a game against Hofstra on Long Island. The CAA opener for both teams will start at noon.
 
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