The Elon University women’s soccer team’s season opener at Charleston Southern University was brought to an early close Friday night after gaining a first half lead. A lightning delay that lasted more than 90 minutes prompted the cancellation of the match. It will not be rescheduled.
Very shortly after the beginning of the second half, lightning struck, which required a 30 minute delay. Every new lightning strike began the delay over again.
NCAA rules dictate that, if a match has not resumed within three hours of the start time of the match, it must be cancelled. The continuance of lightning extended the delay to the point where the game had to be cancelled.
The lightning was the only thing that slowed down the Phoenix, whichtook a 1-0 over the Buccaneers on a sixth minute goal by junior midfielder Kelly Siewers. Siewers took a pass from sophomore forward Susannah Anderson and put it in the back of the net, one of six Phoenix shots on goal.
The goal was Siewers’ first since the 2013 season, when she netted two in a match against Furman, and was especially meaningful after she missed most of last season because of an injury. Overall, the Phoenix outshot Charleston Southern 11-6, and had six corner kicks to the Buccaneers’ one.
There were a few new faces on the field as well. Sophomore Hanna Macauley was in the net for the Phoenix, and Alexis de Groot and Amanda Lasater also started the match, each of whom missed last season due to injury.
Elon's next match is this Sunday, Aug. 23 against Davidson, which will be played at 2 p.m. in Davidson.