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HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women's lacrosse team hosts intra-Triad rival Elon on Tuesday night inside Vert Stadium.
 
First draw between the Panthers and Phoenix is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Big South Network, with live stats also available via highpointpanthers.com.
 
The Panthers have won three straight home games and four of their last five contests overall. High Point has limited its opponents to just 8.0 goals/game during the three-game home win streak and posted an average of 12.0 goals/contest.
 
LAST TIME OUT
HPU earned an 11-6 victory over Michigan on March 13 behind an excellent defensive effort. The Wolverine offense – which came into the game averaging 10.6/contest – managed just six scores against the stout Panther defense. Big South Defensive Player of the Week Molly Andrews made seven saves, including six in the deciding second half.
 
HPU's defensive prowess was bolstered by a collective team effort on that side of the field. Seven Panthers caused at least two turnovers, led by freshman Hayley Norris (5) and junior Christina Del Sesto (4), who each posted career highs in the category.
 
Offensively, HPU also spread the wealth, with nine Panthers recording a point. Senior Emily Meier led the way with four points (2g, 2a), while sophomore Erica Perrotta matched her career high with three goals on the day. Freshman Samantha Herman – a two time Big South Freshman of the Week in 2016 - continued her excellent play of late, notching three points (2g, 1a)  while adding a pair of draw controls and three ground balls.
 
PANTHER DEFENSE AMONG NATION'S ELITE IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES
High Point ranks in the top-5 nationally in both caused turnovers/game (12.86) and ground balls per game (22.14) this season. HPU's close defense and defensive midfield have been extremely active in High Point wins this season. Most recently, the Panthers set a new school record with 23 caused turnovers in the 11-6 win over Michigan and picked up the most ground balls (31) by a Panther team since 2012.
 
HISTORY vs. ELON
High Point and Elon will meet for the third time Tuesday. The Panthers have split the previous two contests, with each team winning on its home field. HPU won in Vert Stadium (11-4) during the 2014 season while the Panthers fell at Elon (16-10) last season. Leah Pace led the Panthers with two points (1g, 1a), four ground balls and three caused turnovers in last season's matchup
 
A LOOK AT THE PHOENIX (6-3, 0-0 CAA)
Elon was picked to finish fifth in the 2016 CAA preseason poll. The Phoenix are off to a 6-3 start this season, highlighted by a 7-6 win at then-No. 10 Duke on Feb. 25. Elon has defeated Big South foes Longwood (15-8) and Coastal Carolina (5-4) in 2016. The Phoenix are excellent at valuing their possessions this season, ranking fourth nationally in fewest turnovers/game (10.67). Elon also is 18^th in the country in scoring defense, with opponents averaging just 7.67 goals/game. The Phoenix are 3-1 on the road this season.
 
Elon is led offensively by junior attack Sloane Kessler who is first on the team in points (29) and assists (9). Sophomore midfielder Stephanie Asher leads the team in points (23) and is third in the CAA in goals (21). Junior goalkeeper Rachel Ramirez is 19^th in the nation in goals against average (7.63) and leads the team in ground balls (27) and caused turnovers (16). She has posted a .433 save percentage this season.
 
NEXT UP
High Point opens Big South play Saturday with a home tilt against Coastal Carolina (4-3). First draw between the Panthers and Chanticleers is set for 1 p.m. inside Vert Stadium.

#GoHPU