Elon University Athletics • 1st May 2025

Phoenix Falls to No. 1 Seed Stony Brook in CAA Semifinals [Recap]

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women's lacrosse team returned to the CAA Tournament for the second consecutive season but fell to top-seeded and nationally ranked No. 19 Stony Brook in Thursday's semifinal matchup on May 1. The Phoenix jumped out to a promising start but the Seawolves used a 14-1 run across the final three quarters to pull away for a 15-4 victory.

Elon University Athletics • 30th April 2025

Four Phoenix Earn All-CAA Honors, Fisher Headlines with All-CAA First-Team Selection

ELON, N.C. – Four members of the Elon women's lacrosse team earned All-CAA honors as the league office announced its 2025 postseason awards on Wednesday, April 30. Senior attacker Sammy Fisher earned a spot on the All-CAA First Team, while sophomore defender Reagan Kuehn was named to the All-CAA Second Team. Freshman attackers Lillian Austin and Danielle Swietoniowski were each selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team.

Elon University Athletics • 30th April 2025

Elon Returns To Stony Brook To Face Top-Seeded Seawolves in CAA Semifinals [Preview]

ELON, N.C. – For the second consecutive year, the Elon women's lacrosse team travels to Stony Brook, N.Y., to take on top-seeded and nationally ranked Stony Brook in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament. The Phoenix, seeded fourth, will look to pull off a statement upset against a Seawolves squad that has yet to lose a conference game – regular season or postseason – since joining the league in 2023.

Elon University Athletics • 26th April 2025

Elon Falls At Ranked Drexel In Final Regular Season Matchup [Recap]

ELON, N.C. – After battling back to enter halftime tied with No. 23 Drexel, Elon couldn't keep pace in the second half, as the Dragons pulled away for a 16-7 win to close out the regular season. Ana Lee Vandiver led the Phoenix offense, scoring four of the team's seven goals.

Elon University Athletics • 25th April 2025

Elon Heads to Philadelphia for Postseason Preview and Regular Season Closer [Preview]

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women's lacrosse team (9-6, 5-2 CAA) is set to close out the regular season on the road against Drexel (12-3, 6-1 CAA) on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. The matchup marks the ninth all-time meeting between the programs and will serve as a postseason preview, with both teams locked into the 2025 CAA Tournament.

Elon University Athletics • 23rd April 2025

Elon Rides Perfect First Quarter And A Record-Breaking Performance On The Draw To Victory In Final Home Game [Recap]

ELON, N.C. – In its final appearance on Rudd Field in 2025, the Elon University women's lacrosse team delivered a commanding all-around performance, overpowering Queens University of Charlotte 18-9 in a statement victory. The win secured back-to-back winning seasons for the Phoenix (9–6, 5–2 CAA) for the first time since 2016–17 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

The Phoenix wasted no time, building an 11-0 lead in the first 25 minutes of play behind an explosive offensive effort and lockdown defense. Sammy Fisher and Mackenzie Coleman paced the offense with four points apiece, including three goals each, a career high for Coleman. MJ Santa Barbara once again rewrote the record books in the draw control circle. For the second time in her collegiate career, she broke Elon's single-game record, collecting 16 draw controls. The performance also marks the highest single-game draw control total in the CAA this season.

Elon University Athletics • 22nd April 2025

Elon Welcomes Queens For Rudd Field Finale [Preview]

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women's lacrosse team (7-6, 4-2 CAA) is set to host Queens (5-10, 2-3 ASUN) for its final non-conference and home contest of the 2025 season. The game is a rescheduled meeting from Feb. 12 that was postponed due to inclement weather. Queens visits Rudd Field for the final stop of its four-game road swing, coming off an 18-13 setback at Coastal Carolina this past weekend.

Elon is riding the momentum of an exhilarating victory over Towson on Saturday at home, 16-8. Sammy Fisher and Ana Lee Vandiver led the team offensively with a combined 11 points and nine of Elon's 16 scores. The CAA Rookie of the Week, Lillian Austin, recorded a career-high six points, including a career-best five assists. On the defensive end, CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Week Caitlin Walsh made six saves and anchored a unit that shut out the Tigers in a pivotal 7-0 third quarter in favor of the Phoenix.

Elon University Athletics • 19th April 2025

Elon Dominates Second Half, Clinches Return To CAA Tournament [Recap]

ELON, N.C. – After entering halftime knotted at six, the Elon University women's lacrosse team produced seven unanswered goals to open the second half en route to a 16-8 win over the Towson Tigers. The win punches Elon's ticket to the 2025 CAA Tournament, which begins May 1 in Stony Brook, N.Y.

Elon University Athletics • 18th April 2025

Elon Hosts Towson In Crucial CAA Showdown [Preview]

ELON, N.C. – With three games remaining in the regular season, including just two in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play, the Elon women's lacrosse team returns to Rudd Field on Saturday for a pivotal showdown against Towson. The Phoenix (7-6, 4-2 CAA) sit in a tight race for the final CAA Tournament spot and enters the weekend in a win-and-in scenario. A victory would clinch the fourth and final postseason seed for Elon, while a loss would keep the door open for Hofstra (3-3) or Towson (2-4) heading into the final week of league play.

Elon University Athletics • 11th April 2025

The Triple Crown: Paulina DiFatta’s Journey From New York To Elon To The Women’s Lacrosse League - Elon University Athletics

ELON, N.C. – 661 saves. That's the mark Paulina DiFatta reached at the end of her collegiate career. A standout goalie at three different lacrosse programs, she set the single-season saves record at each stop – including Elon University.

Now, as a founding member of the Maryland Charm in the newly formed Women's Lacrosse League (WLL), DiFatta is once again breaking new ground. However, her path from the fields of New York to the sport's professional stage has been anything but ordinary.

JOU4500: Multimedia Journalism • 27th March 2025

Crossroads: A Student’s Path from Lacrosse to Vintage Clothing

To be at a crossroads means facing a pivotal decision. For Nathanial 'Nate' Mills, it was more than just a metaphor — it’s the name of his vintage clothing business and the defining moment when he realized his time playing the sport he loved had come to an end.

Elon University Athletics • 25th March 2025

Rising Phoenix: ‘Swiet’ Victory, Swietniowski’s Career Day Fuels Best Conference Start Since 2021 - Elon University Athletics

For the second time since its inaugural season in 2014, the Elon University lacrosse team is 2-0 in conference play. In Rudd Field's rendition of 'March Madness,' the Phoenix weathered the chaos to outlast the Hofstra Pride, 14-12.

In a battle between two of the conference's top draw control units, possession was key. Hofstra struck first, winning the opening two draws and converting both into early goals. But once Elon's offense got rolling, it never looked back. The Phoenix responded with four unanswered goals to seize the lead – one it never surrendered.

Elon University Athletics • 27th February 2025

Rising Phoenix: Elon Sinks Pirates With Speed, Stifling Defense & Trickery - Elon University Athletics

To start the 2025 campaign, the Elon University lacrosse team's three games – a win against VCU and losses to Duke and Virginia Tech – have been decided, on average, by nearly 11 goals each. Tuesday night's clash with East Carolina brought the season's first hotly contested matchup, and the Phoenix passed with flying colors.

After jumping out to an early 2-1 lead, Elon found itself on its heels as ECU responded with three straight goals. The Phoenix were struggling and needed a burst of energy…literally.

Elon University Athletics • 6th February 2025

Renewal: Elon Lacrosse Gears Up For 2025 Season - Elon University Athletics

At 5-8 heading into the final month of the season, the Elon University lacrosse team faced an uphill battle. With a spot in the CAA Tournament slipping away, the Phoenix needed a perfect finish to keep its postseason hopes alive – so the team did just that.

In its final four games, the Phoenix went undefeated, securing a spot in the CAA Tournament behind a high-powered offense that averaged nearly 16 goals per game and a defense that delivered in crucial moments. Although the team's tournament run ended in the CAA semifinals, Elon entered the offseason with renewed confidence and determination.

Elon University Athletics • 9th January 2025

Rising Phoenix: Ball Don’t Lie, Team Effort Leads To Overtime Victory For Women’s Basketball - Elon University Athletics

Words that will elicit a reaction from any basketball fan or player – down by two, with under a minute left to play. It's the exact scenario the Elon University women's basketball team found itself on the road against William & Mary on Sunday.

After a back-and-forth contest with its conference foe, the Phoenix gained possession late following two Tribe free throws. On the other end, two missed shots by Elon were corralled by maroon and gold jerseys. With mounting pressure, the ball was kicked out to redshirt sophomore guard Raven Preston to nail a deep shot with :35 seconds remaining, tying the game, 57-57.

Elon University Athletics • 3rd December 2024

Making Her Mark: Johnson Showcases Her Talent In Collegiate Debut - Elon University Athletics

In a meet where all she needed was her first collegiate mark, freshman thrower Isabella Johnson went above and beyond.

On Nov. 14, Johnson competed at the Get Your Marks Field Meet, a meet designed for athletes who do not have a verified mark in field events. Johnson not only secured her necessary marks but also claimed first place in both the shot put and weight throw – all in her first time donning the maroon and gold.

Elon University Athletics • 17th October 2024

KB The QB: Bisgrove Reflects On Standout Flag Football Career - Elon University Athletics

Before she wore No. 2 as the goalkeeper for the Elon University women's soccer team, freshman Katie Bisgrove wore No. 10 for a different shade of maroon.

During her sophomore year, Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, launched a pilot program for a new varsity sport – an all-girls flag football team. Now collecting accolades and praise as one of the CAA's finest in her freshman campaign, Bisgrove reflected upon her journey with the sport and its future.

Elon University Athletics • 1st October 2024

Rising Phoenix: Senior Day Spectacle, Elon Dominates With 6-Goal Shutout - Elon University Athletics

Senior Day is always a game to celebrate for the Elon University women's soccer team. It's even sweeter when the festivities include a dominant conference victory.

In an offensive onslaught, the Phoenix produced six goals from five players en route to a shutout win over Hampton University, 6-0.

"This season has been a totally new season for us compared to last year," senior forward Lydia Totten said. "Having high shots and a lot of goals, especially it being senior night, it was awesome to get a great one out of it."

Elon University Athletics • 15th September 2024

Rising Phoenix: Murdock's Late-Game Spark Keeps Elon Unbeaten - Elon University Athletics

For the first time this season, the Elon University women's soccer team found itself trailing on the scoreboard. Heading into the locker room at halftime in uncharted territory, the team rallied behind each other.

"At halftime, our team was pretty calm, and a bunch of us were just throwing out ideas on things that are working and things that we need to fix," redshirt sophomore forward Isa Murdock said. "Overall, we weren't scared or anything, we knew we had the ability to come back."

Elon University Athletics • 5th September 2024

Rising Phoenix: Picture-Perfect Day From Hoschek Leads To Another Elon Victory - Elon University Athletics

For sophomore midfielder Gabby Hoschek's birthday this year, she gifted herself and her teammates a road victory and a four-point performance.

The Elon University women's soccer team went to work on Labor Day, securing its first road victory of the season over the Wofford Terriers, 4-2. The match was initially scheduled to be played on Sept. 1 but a weather delay – and a helping hand from Elon Director of Athletics Jennifer Strawley – pushed the game to the following day at 10 a.m.

Elon University Athletics • 3rd September 2024

Rising Phoenix: Elon Stays Perfect Behind ‘Dawgs’ On Defense And Manna Magic - Elon University Athletics

736 – that's the number of days that separated redshirt junior midfielder Ryan Manna's first career goal and his second.

His second career goal arrived in the 77th minute of the Elon University men's soccer team's match against Grand Canyon on Monday night. The shot was the dagger that kept the Phoenix undefeated.

Elon University Athletics • 23rd August 2024

Rising Phoenix: Elon Wins Behind A Season-Opener Stunner From Scott Vatne - Elon University Athletics

Senior midfielder Scott Vatne is no stranger to scoring in season openers or scoring game-winning goals. On Thursday night, he outdid himself.

The matchup between the Elon University men's soccer team and the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles was a back-and-forth, physical bout for 90 minutes. It was the first meeting between these clubs, but based on how the two played, it felt like a rivalry game with years of build-up.

Elon University Athletics • 21st August 2024

Stronger Together: Men’s Soccer Fueled by Leadership and Lessons In 2024 - Elon University Athletics

Simply looking at its record, some might consider the 2023 season a step back for the Elon University men's soccer team after an NCAA Tournament appearance the year prior. A deeper look and a conversation with the group's head coach and captain tells a different story – one of camaraderie, determination and leadership.

The Phoenix won four of its last five matches, outscoring opponents 8-0 in the final three. The team's efforts were rewarded with a third-consecutive trip to the conference tournament, advancing to the semifinals, in which Elon lost a heartbreaker to Monmouth in penalty kicks.

Elon University Athletics • 16th August 2024

Rising Phoenix: Elon’s New-Look Defense Dominates In Season Opener - Elon University Athletics

Freshman goalkeeper Katie Bisgrove arrived on campus two weeks ago to join her teammates for preseason training. In her first career appearance for the Elon University women's soccer team, she earned the start and the shutout.

After a disappointing record last season, the Phoenix were eager to take Rudd Field again. Junior midfielder Rachel Buckle felt the team was ready to prove doubters wrong after a full offseason of work.