Sophomore forward Nicole Dennion tallied her team-leading 10th goal of the season as the Elon University women’s soccer team won it’s third straight game in Southern Conference play over Davidson College Sunday, Oct. 20.
Dennion scored Elon’s first goal just 19 seconds into the match on Alumni Field in Davidson. Her goal was unassisted, as she dribbled down the sideline from midfield and knocked it just inside the post for the goal.
The Phoenix scored again in the third minute, this time off the foot of senior forward Jennifer McGorty. In a give-and-go with Dennion, McGorty’s shot found the back of the net just inside the left post to give Elon the 2-0 lead.
The match stayed 2-0 until Davidson broke though in the 41st minute and again in the 43rd minute. Freshmen forwards Ashley Finke and Kate Joss both tallied for the Wildcats to tie the game just before halftime.
Out of the break, the Phoenix didn’t take long to regain the lead when junior midfielder Marissa Russo scored her fifth goal of the season on a pass from McGorty.
Elon put the insurance goal behind Davidson junior goalkeeper Rachel Locke in the 70th minute when senior forward Kendall Stanley headed the ball home on an assist from senior forward Catherine Brinkman to give Elon a 4-2 lead.
MORE: Elon outlasts reigning conference champs in OT
Sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Branson played the entire 90 minutes between the pipes for Elon. She took over for junior goalkeeper Kate Murphy Friday, Oct, 19, against Georgia Southern University in the 90th minute and made her first career start for the Phoenix against Davidson.
Elon returns to the field Friday, Oct. 25, against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The Phoenix now hold a 10-2-4 overall record with a 4-1-2 record in SoCon play.
Because of other conference results Sunday, the Phoenix jumped from fourth-place to second-place in the conference standings, sitting two points behind Furman University. The Phoenix have already topped the Paladins this season.
Chattanooga comes to Rudd Field with a 5-10 overall record, but an 0-7 mark in SoCon play. The Mocs have allowed 28 goals in conference play while scoring just eight themselves.
Elon has scored 19 goals this season in conference while allowing opponents 14. Elon has scored 45 goals in 16 games this year, averaging 2.81 per game. The Phoenix are one goal away from doubling their mark from the 2012 season of 23.
Kick between Elon and Chattanooga is set for 7 p.m. All time, Elon holds the series advantage against the Mocs with a 6-4 lead. Elon has won the last two in a row 8-2 and 5-0, respectively.