WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary lacrosse team was edged by Elon, 12-11, at Martin Family Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
Although W&M (5-8, 1-5) trailed by three during the waning minutes of the contest, it mounted an impressive comeback bid with goals by Ainsley Huizenga (3:11) and Finley Hoffman (2:10) and had a chance to even the score in the closing seconds.
 
After a defensive stand gave the Tribe possession with less than 30 seconds remaining, it quickly advanced the ball into its attacking end before utilizing a timeout with 14.4 remaining. However, W&M was unable to get a shot off as the final horn sounded.
 
Much of the first half was tightly contested, as neither team led by more than two scores until the Tribe closed the second quarter with three unanswered goals to go ahead, 8-5.
 
However, Elon outscored W&M in the third quarter, 5-0, to pull ahead by two. Paige Gilbert completed her hat trick less than a minute into the fourth stanza, but Elon responded with a pair of goals to provide a three-goal cushion before the Tribe's late charge.
 
In addition to Gilbert, who totaled three goals, five draw controls, a caused turnover and a ground ball, Huizenga came up big offensively with a team-high five points (2g, 3a) to go with two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
 
Anna Dawson also found the back of the cage with both her shot attempts, while Margaret Mooney provided two points (1g, 1a).
 
Kate Draddy recorded a team-best six draw controls, while Jaylin Locke and Anna Armstrong added two caused turnovers and two ground balls apiece.
 
Elon outshot W&M, 27-21, which included an 18-16 edge in attempts on goal.
 
The Phoenix also owned narrow margins in draw controls (14-13) and ground balls (15-13), while it committed one fewer turnover (15-16).
 
Sammy Fisher led EU with eight points (4g, 4a) and five draw controls, while Ana Lee Vandiver posted a hat trick with three goals. MJ Santa Barbara tallied a team-high nine draw controls.
 
W&M will return to action when it concludes its conference road slate at Delaware next Saturday at noon.