Feb. 28, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt lacrosse team picked up a close 10-9 victory over the Elon Phoenix Sunday afternoon. Elon came to Nashville off of a huge win over No. 10 Duke, but suffered its first defeat of the season in front of a great crowd at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse.
The Commodores were led by Jill Doherty, who helped the squad achieve their third win on the year with her second hat trick of the season. Callahan Kent, who leads the BIG EAST in saves, added six more to her repertoire, now boasting 32 in four games.
Elon struck first in Sunday’s competition, as Stephanie Asher scored on a free position shot. VU leveled the score three minutes later as Doherty secured her seventh goal of her junior campaign.
The midfielder tied the score once more before the half was over off of a free possession shot that flew past the maroon and gold’s goalie Rachel Ramirez.
At the half, Vanderbilt trailed 3-2. But the `Dores came out of the locker room with a vengeance as the squad found its grove and established a huge 10-5 lead with a little over six minutes left in the game.
The eighth Vandy goal of the competition was generated off a turnover by the Elon goalie, which was then picked up by Emma Dagres who scored on an abandoned goal. Elon’s tough defense created multiple problems for Vandy, but VU implemented its game plan all while taking advantage of the Phoenix breakdowns.
With the score at 10-5 Elon went on a run of its own by steadily chipping away at the Vanderbilt lead. At 10-7 with less than three minutes left, Asher recorded back-to-back goals for the Phoenix, but it was a good effort given too late as the Commodore won 10-9.
Vanderbilt hits the road next week, traveling across the country to take on Stanford in Paolo Alto, Calif. on March 6th. Three days later the squad faces the Denver Pioneers at 3:00 pm CT.
