ELON, N.C. — The High Point University women's lacrosse team took the short trip to Elon University for a mid-week Triad matchup on Thursday as the Panthers' fourth-quarter comeback fell short, 15-7.
SITE: Rudd Field
SCORE: High Point 7, Elon 15
RECORDS: High Point (0-5), Elon (3-2)
The Panthers saw goals from
Shannon Smith and
Tatum Goettelmann in the first half as Smith scored the first — via Goettelmann — and then the sophomore attacker scored her own. It was an impressive finish following an incredible pass from
Jaidyn Donley, who picked up the ground ball, registered the clear and found Goettelmann in stride to cut into the lead.
Elon used a 4-0 run to end the first half as the Panthers trailed 10-2. Out of the intermission,
Lauren Pujolar earned a free position shot and ripped it from the 8-meter line for her first collegiate goal.
It was the Panthers' lone third-quarter goal before a four-goal fourth quarter.
Bella Germani and
Rachelle Gauthier added a pair of fourth-quarter free-position goals; meanwhile, Smith and Gottelmann connected again in the final five minutes before Donley added her season's first goal on a wind-up and rip to cap a 4-0 Panthers' run. HPU was 4-for-7 from the 8-meter looks. Gottelmann notched her second multi-assist game this year, while Smith scored her fifth straight multi-goal game.
Donley and Gottelmann earned their first start this season, alongside
Kate Prentice, as
Madilyn Wargo saw her first action in Purple & White after relieving
Ava Welsh to start the second half. Welsh had four ground balls and four saves in the first half, while Wargo had four saves and two ground balls over 30 minutes while allowing just one goal to the Phoenix in the final quarter.
Gracie Vickery won a team-high four draw controls as the Panthers won the draw battle in the second half, 6-4, while out-scoring Elon 4-1 over the last 15 minutes.
Up Next: HPU has a week off before hosting Liberty University for Alumni Weekend on Saturday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m.
#GoHPU x #RollThers
