The Hofstra Pride women’s lacrosse team fell to Elon 15-7 in the team’s final conference game of the 2017 season. The Pride is eliminated from CAA tournament contention with the loss. Hofstra faltered out of the gates against the Phoenix, allowing three goals in the span of a minute just three minutes into the game. Stephanie Asher led the game off with a score, then Nicole Sinacori knocked in a pair of goals immediately afterwards.
The Phoenix had six straight scores before Carlee Ancona put the Pride on the board 11 minutes into the game. Elon won the first six draw controls of the contest, which allowed it more opportunities to wear down Hofstra’s defense and force itself into the net.
After two scores by the Pride, Elon rattled off another seven unanswered scores to increase its lead to 13-3 at halftime. Elon pelted the Pride with 22 shots in the first half while Hofstra couldn’t put together many offensive possessions. Hofstra took just seven shots in the frame.
Hofstra’s defense drastically improved in the second half. Nobody scored in the second frame until Elon star Asher recorded her 50th goal of the season 12 minutes into the period.
The Pride held Elon to just two goals in the latter frame, but could not answer the Phoenix’s 13 from the first half.
Yellow cards plagued Hofstra in the game. The officials called six separate penalties on four separate players: Amanda Seekamp (two), Alyssa Parella (two), Lexi Lenaghan and Morgan Knox. The penalties allowed Elon to score in man-up opportunities with the Pride defense dwindled down.
Additionally, Elon’s accurate shooting was a major factor in its victory. Of the team’s 26 shots, 20 of them were on goal. The Pride was accurate offensively too, with 13 of its 14 shots being on goal.
Becky Conto earned her third straight hat trick by recording all three of her goals in the final six minutes of the game. The senior midfielder has eight hat tricks this season.
Hofstra falls to 8-7 on the season with the loss and ends conference play with a 2-4 record. The Pride’s last game of the season comes at home in a Long Island showdown with Stony Brook. The game will be on Friday with opening draw control at 7 p.m. from James M. Shuart Stadium.