With Southern Conference play now in full swing for the Elon University women's soccer team, the Phoenix had a mixed result throughout the weekend that included a 2-1 loss at The Citadel and a 6-1 victory over Francis Marion University.
On Friday, Oct. 4, the Phoenix traveled to Charleston, S.C. to take on the Bulldogs in the team's only SoCon match of the weekend. Though dominating the match with a 21-9 shot advantage, the Phoenix suffered the loss on a goal in the 56th minute from freshman midfielder Lea Raedle to give The Citadel a 2-1 advantage.
Elon junior midfielder Marissa Russo had herself a weekend, scoring Elon's only goal Friday against the Bulldogs. Her strike came in the 49th minute after putting home a bouncing ball in front of goal from senior midfielder Olivia Mackey's corner kick.
The Citadel grabbed momentum and the lead going into halftime after scoring the game's first goal in the 44th minute. Sophomore midfielder Andrea Davila scored on a cross that hit the crossbar.
Sophomore forward Nicole Dennion, who entered the match as the SoCon's leading scorer one goal ahead of The Citadel's senior forward Mariana Garcia, was held scoreless on four shots, but she tallied in Elon's 6-1 victory over Francis Marion Sunday, Oct. 6.
Against Francis Marion, the Phoenix started the scoring early and didn't back off throughout the match.
In the eighth minute, Russo scored her second goal of the weekend after scoring on a cross from the near right post from Dennion.
Senior forward Catherine Brinkman tallied in the 23rd minute on another corner kick from Mackey.
After the break with the Phoenix up 2-0, Russo scored her second goal of the game and third goal of the weekend when she tallied on a rebound header in the 54th minute.
One minute later, senior forward Jennifer McGorty gave the Phoenix a 4-0 lead after receiving a ball from senior midfielder Kimmie Krauss.
Pushing the lead to 5-0, Dennion scored her eighth goal of the year when she hit a header by the right post past Francis Marion freshman goalkeeper Kim Newton.
Perhaps the most impressive goal of the weekend came on a strike from junior midfielder Bethany Houpt. Her first goal of the year came on a 30-yard strike that sailed over Newton's head for Elon's sixth goal of the game in the 75th minute.
Francis Marion broke the shutout in the 90th minute, but it was far too late as the Phoenix cruised to the win and improved their record to 7-2-3 this season.
The non-conference game against Francis Marion was played because of the vacancy left by College of Charleston when they left for the Colonial Athletic Conference prior to this year. Francis Marion, who is not affiliated with a conference, does not count in the SoCon standings, but they play each SoCon team this season and act as the travel partner with The Citadel.
Because Francis Marion does not have a conference affiliation, they had open spaces to fill the weekly schedule against SoCon schools.
Elon returns home Friday, Oct. 11 to take on the Wofford College Terriers at 7 p.m. on Rudd Field. Elon will continue its homestand Sunday, Oct. 13 against Furman University. After that, the Phoenix will have five regular season games left to play before the Southern Conference tournament.