Elon 3, Western Carolina 1
ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women’s soccer team opened its Southern Conference slate with a 3-1 decision against the visiting Western Carolina Catamounts on Thursday night at Rudd Field.
Elon (6-1-2, 1-0 SoCon) remained unbeaten at home with the win, while Western Carolina fell to 5-3-1 (0-1 SoCon) with the setback.
Jennifer McGorty put the Phoenix up 1-0 in the ninth minute after scoring from the center of the box off of a Marissa Russo pass.
The Catamounts tied the match just minutes later on a Caitlyn Bradham header from near the right post in the 11th minute.
Elon’s leading scorer, Nicole Dennion, helped the Maroon and Gold counter, as the sophomore netted her seventh goal of the season in the 20th minute off of an Olivia Mackey corner kick and Chelsey Stark touch in the box to give Elon a 2-1 edge.
Following intermission, Stark extended Elon’s lead to 3-1 in the 48th minute after knocking in a McGorty cross.
The Phoenix held the Catamounts in check from that point forward, limiting its instate foe to few dangerous chances.
Elon finished the match with a 12-8 edge in shots, as both squads put five on target. The Phoenix ended the night with a slight 4-3 edge in corners as well.
Kate Murphy picked up the win, improving to 6-0-2. Murphy, the reigning SoCon Player of the Week, ended the night with four saves in 90 minutes between the posts.
Elon travels to Boone, N.C., on Sunday to face Appalachian State at 3 p.m. Western Carolina returns home Sunday to host UNCG. Match time is set for 2 p.m.
Appalachian State 1, UNCG 1 (2OT)
GREENSBORO, N.C. – After 110 minutes, the UNCG women’s soccer team picked up a 1-1 draw against Appalachian State in its Southern Conference home opener Thursday night at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The Spartans improved to 4-4-1, 0-0-1 in the SoCon and the Mountaineers are 3-4-1, 0-0-1 in conference play.
UNCG took 16 shots in the contest, putting five on frame, while Appalachian State fired 14 shots with six on goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Simmons finished with three saves in 110 minutes of action and the Spartan defense was able to come away with two team saves at the end of the first overtime.
In the overtime sessions, the Spartans had a couple of chances but couldn’t come away with the golden goal. Sophomore Chesney White finished the game with five shots to lead the team.
The Blue and Gold controlled the second half, putting a lot of pressure on the visiting Mountaineers with nine shots.
In the 52nd minute, UNCG took a 1-0 lead after senior Katie Durst found White, who laced a shot outside the box to the lower left corner. It was White’s third goal of the season.
The Mountaineers almost found the tying goal after Merlin Beckwith hit the left post with a shot in the 54th minute.
Appalachian State found the equalizer in the 75th minute after a corner kick led to a ball put into the box, where Jane Cline collected it and scored her first goal of the season at the top left corner.
UNCG almost regained the lead in the 77th minute after a ball was crossed in by freshman Rebecca Burrows that sophomore Katherine Rodriguez kicked on goal, but Megan Roberson made the save.
In the first half, the Spartans had a great opportunity in the 18th minute when sophomore Zoe Fishman fired on goal, but the Mountaineers’ defense was able to kick it out of the net. Rodriguez received the deflection and shot the ball just high over the net.
Just two minutes later, Appalachian State’s Julia Holtz earned a breakaway, but Simmons made a diving save to her left to keep the game tied.
Each team finished with three corner kicks in the first half, with the Spartans taking four shots.
UNCG returns to action on the road Sunday against Western Carolina at 2 p.m. in Cullowhee, N.C. The Mountaineers return to action on Sunday when they take on Elon at Appalachian Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.