10. Elon garners six individual titles at SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championships
En route to a third-place finish, its highest in program history, the Elon women’s track and field team saw six athletes take home individual crowns at the SoCon Outdoor Championships. Bria Bell won the 400-meters while Jen Esposito took the title in the 400-meter hurdles and Sydney Griffin won the 100-meter hurdles. Breanna Warren finished first in the discus throw, Megan Kirschling won the high jump and Tereza Novotna took home the title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
9. Rich Skrosky named head football coach
Less than three weeks after the removal of Jason Swepson, Elon announced Rich Skrosky as the new head football coach Dec. 12, 2013. Skrosky previously served as the offensive coordinator at Ball State under former Elon coach Pete Lembo. Skrosky served on Lembo’s staff at Elon for five years, two as offensive coordinator. He will be looked toward to revive Elon’s program as it makes the jump to the CAA.
8. Elon sells out Alumni Gym against UMass, Davidson
Raucous crowds became commonplace at Alumni Gym for Elon men’s basketball games, but none could match the turnouts for games against No. 16 UMass Jan. 18 and Davidson March 1. Lines of students waiting to get inside stretched down Haggard Avenue toward Belk Library. Hundreds were turned away. For the Davidson game, students were seen camped out at the student entrance as early as 11:30 a.m. Official attendance was listed at 1,857 against UMass and 1,871 against Davidson, while Alumni’s capacity is listed at 1,607.
7. Carleigh Nester shatters multiple Elon softball records
It was a storybook senior season for the Elon softball outfielder who began her career in the shadows of star Tomeka Watson. Nester broke the Elon career records for home runs, doubles, slugging percentage and RBI. She also has the single-season home run record. Nester earned All-SoCon First Team accolades.
6. Women’s Soccer advances to first SoCon Championship, Nicole Dennion wins Player of the Year
In its final year in the SoCon, it was a year of firsts for Elon. The Phoenix went 13-3-6 overall and advanced to its first-ever SoCon Championship game, where it lost 3-1 to Furman. Sophomore Nicole Dennion scored 15 goals on the season and was named SoCon Player of the Year for her efforts. Dennion had four game-winning goals and three multi-goal games.
5. Men’s Basketball completes dramatic comeback at Davidson
Down 15 points with less than five minutes to go against the perennial SoCon powerhouse Davidson, Elon found a hot stretch and built an unprecedented comeback. Jack Isenbarger, clutch as always, hit a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to tie it with 2.4 seconds in regulation. Elon carried the momentum into overtime before it almost all slipped away. Davidson cut the deficit to two with under a second left and stole the inbounds pass, only to have the potential game-winning 3-pointer rim out. It snapped a 23-game home SoCon winning streak for the Wildcats.
4. Women’s Lacrosse gets first win in inaugural home game
After three road losses to start the season (and the program), Elon came home to Rhodes Stadium March 1 and beat St. Francis (Pa.) 16-7 for the team’s first win. Freshman Sloane Kessler led the way with five goals, while Rachel Ramirez made seven saves. The Phoenix would go on to earn the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament before losing to Detroit in the Semifinals.
3. Men’s Tennis rolls through SoCon play, earns No. 3 seed in NCAA pod
Dominant is an understatement when describing Elon in SoCon play. The Phoenix went unbeaten en route to the SoCon regular season and Tournament Championships. Cameron Silverman starred, earning an appearance in the NCAA Singles Tournament. Elon was awarded the No. 3 seed in its NCAA Tournament pod, where it lost 4-1 to Tennessee.
2. Women’s Tennis completes ‘Cloud 9’ run through SoCon Tournament
Entering as the No. 4 seed with a brutal route ahead, Elon didn’t back down. The Phoenix knocked off No. 1 Furman and No. 2 Samford to win its first SoCon Championship and advance to its first NCAA Tournament. The win helped ease the pain of a tough loss in last year’s SoCon Final. Elon lost to top-seeded Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
1. Men’s Soccer defeats Clemson in first round of NCAA Tournament
In the first NCAA Tournament contest ever hosted at Elon University, the Phoenix did not disappoint. With more than 3,300 fans crowded around Rudd Field, Elon and Clemson fought to penalty kicks. Jason Waterman had the game-winner, and, of course, he ripped off his shirt.