ELON, N.C. – The William & Mary lacrosse team opened its conference slate with a 17-12 setback at Elon on Wednesday evening. 
 
Although W&M (4-7, 0-1) owned a 4-2 advantage midway through the opening quarter, Elon (5-6, 1-0) scored seven of the next eight goals to build a 9-5 lead. 
 
While the Tribe closed the margin to two and trailed by just three at halftime, 11-8, Elon utilized a 6-2 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters to build a 17-10 advantage with 1:15 remaining. 
 
W&M scored a pair of goals in the final seconds but was unable to get closer than the final margin. 
 
Tribe Standouts
Senior Belle Martire led W&M with four points (3g, 1a), while freshmen Sam Van Gieson and Margaret Mooney both recorded hat tricks.
 
Junior Sarah Cipolla added a goal and three draw controls, while junior Caroline Donovan posted a pair of caused turnovers. 
 
Inside the Numbers
Elon outshout W&M, 33-22, including a 28-17 margin on goal.
 
The Phoenix also owned advantages in draw controls (20-13) and ground balls (20-10), while it committed two fewer turnovers (14-16). 

The Opposition
Margaret Stephan led Elon with four goals, while Gillian Curran (2g, 1a) and Kaitlyn Michaud (2g, 1a) added three points apiece. Curran also totaled a game-high 12 draw controls. 
 
Notes
Martire's hat trick marked her seventh of the season … It was Van Gieson's third hat trick of the season and Mooney's first. 
 
Up Next 
W&M will return to action when it opens its home conference slate against Drexel at Martin Family Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. The contest will be the Tribe's Senior Day.