WILMINGTON — The Elon University women’s soccer team got back on the winning track by defeating Coastal Carolina 1-0 on Friday, Sept. 12.
Sophomore midfielder Sarah Henson scored the match’s only goal in the 85th minute to end Elon’s four-match losing streak.
Both teams were feeling one another out in the early going of the first half. The first shot didn’t come until the 11th minute via Coastal Carolina’s senior forward Kacey Kelley. Elon junior goalkeeper Sydney Branson made the stop for the Phoenix to keep the game scoreless. Seconds later in the 12th minute, Kelley had another attempt, but her shot was off target and sailed over the goal.
Elon’s defense was challenged again in the 15th minute. Freshman forward Daniella Famili’s effort was blocked by the Phoenix back line and cleared away from danger.
Sophomore midfielder Ellie Taylor tried to give Coastal Carolina the lead at the 21:00 mark, but Branson sprang into action to make her second save of the contest. Taylor had another scoring chance in the 24th minute, but failed to get her effort on target as the ball drifted wide of goal.
Elon was still looking for its first shot of the match as the first half wound down. In the 40th minute, junior midfielder Taylor Glenn gave the Phoenix its first chance. But her shot was saved by Coastal Carolina sophomore goalkeeper Becca Austin.
At the 41:38 mark, junior midfielder Samantha Burch came close to putting the Phoenix in front, but her shot was deflected by a Chanticleers defender as the match remained scoreless heading into halftime.
Elon continued to attack as the second period got underway. Glenn attempted her second shot of the game, but her effort was blocked.
The Phoenix came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute. Freshman forward Sydney Schilling’s effort off a sophomore defender Erin Tanhauser corner hit the crossbar.
Soon after in the 80th minute, Elon sophomore midfielder Kathryn Black looked to put the Phoenix ahead, but her shot went wide to the left of the goal.
Kelley once again tried to put the Chanticleers ahead with just under seven minutes remaining in regulation, but she couldn’t keep the shot down as the ball floated over the bar.
Elon finally broke the deadlock at the 84:25 mark. Henson got on the end of a cross from Burch that got past the Coastal Carolina goalkeeper and tapped the ball in for her first career goal.
With the win, the Phoenix improves to 2-4 on the year. The loss drops Coastal Carolina to 3-4-0.
Both teams will continue their participation in the UNCW Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Invitational on Sunday afternoon. The Phoenix will take on Francis Marion University at noon, Sunday, Sept. 14.