The Elon University lacrosse team lost its fourth straight game in a close contest against the Drexel University Dragons by a score of 14-13.

The Phoenix’s last home game marked Senior Day for the team. Elon honored its seven senior members: attacker Cate Mackel, defender Carleigh Goldstein, attacker Gillian Curran, attacker Charlotte Pedlow, defender Lyndsey Morhardt, attacker Bella Feldmann and goalie Paige Brown.

“The seniors are the backbone of the team,” head coach Josh Hexter said. “They really stepped up today and played with energy and passion and leadership. So I was really proud.”

After trailing 11-5 at halftime, Elon allowed just two more Drexel goals before going on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 13-13 with seven minutes remaining. Hexter credited the team’s defense for turning the game around. 

“We made some defensive adjustments in our man-to-man. Except for a few times, they really did a good job,”  Hexter said. “I was really proud of how the defense played, just super tough.”

Despite the loss, Brown had a seven-save performance in the net that anchored the Elon defense and allowed them to get back into the game.

“It's a big day, the kid has been working so hard all season,” Hexter said. “Today, I'm sure there's a few she'd like to have back but I couldn't be prouder of her.”

Elon’s scoring run came to an end with a little less than five minutes  remaining as senior midfielder Hayleigh Simpson scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal to give the Dragons the 14-13 lead. Elon had a chance to tie the game but a game-sealing save by 2021 Colonial Athletic Association Goalie of the Year recipient and graduate student Zoe Bennett gave the victory to the Dragons. 

With a 1-4 conference record, the Phoenix currently rank sixth in the CAA standings but can still qualify for May’s CAA Tournament with a win against Hofstra University next weekend. Elon will also need the University of Delaware to defeat Towson University next weekend to qualify.  

With one game left to go in the regular season, Hexter emphasized the focal points for the team heading into the last weekend of the season.

“Just being consistent, the main thing is coming out to practice every day with energy and competing hard against each other,” Hexter said.