Sports

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SPORTS 10/7/24 8:41am

Elon football starting safeties evaluate productive start to season

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University football's duo of All-American safeties, Caleb Curtain and Khalil Baker, have burst onto the scene this year for the Phoenix. In five games, Curtain, a redshirt junior, and Baker, a redshirt senior, have combined for 65 total tackles and five pass deflections with Curtain notching one interception. Each of them are in the top three for tackles and pass deflections among Elon defenders. Even with a productive start, Baker said that they’re starting to coexist better as the season has gone on. This is their first season playing together, as Baker transferred from North Carolina Central University.

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SPORTS 10/4/24 1:30pm

Elon men’s soccer goalkeeper thrives among challenges of position, sets program record

By Miles Hayford

A goalkeeper is asked to do many things: save every ball, refuse to back down in stressful situations — and be perfect. Elon men's soccer goalkeeper Tomasz Wroblewski has been scored on nine times this season, but with 37 saves, he said the stress of the position no longer bothers him. However, Wroblewski seems to have gotten over this fear, having set an Elon Division I record with 13 saves against Wake Forest on Sept. 17 amid an incredible season for the Phoenix. Going into the back half of his final season at Elon, Wroblewski is on a hot streak.

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SPORTS 10/1/24 10:41pm

Elon University men’s soccer falls to High Point in physical, defensive clash

By Miles Hayford

In a Piedmont Triad showdown, the Elon University men’s soccer team lost in a physically demanding game to High Point University 1-0 on Oct. 1. Elon jumped off to an almost perfect start, entering the top 10 of Top Drawer Soccer’s national rankings for the first time since 2015. They are also currently ranked 17 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Coming off the team’s first loss of the season after falling to Hofstra University on Sept. 28, Elon looked to bounce back from one of the first signs of adversity the team has faced this year.

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SPORTS 9/28/24 7:33pm

Turnovers, Richmond’s rushing attack doom Elon football on Family Weekend

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University’s football team was defeated by Richmond University 27-17 in their CAA opener. With a strong Richmond rushing attack and three turnovers, Elon struggled to build any momentum. During the game, head coach Tony Trisciani decided to make a change and subbed in redshirt junior transfer Jack Salopek. Trisciani praised Salopek’s performance, but didn’t indicate whether the switch will be permanent or who the starting quarterback will be going forward. Elon falls to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. They head into the bye week before hosting New Hampshire at 2 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 5.

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SPORTS 9/21/24 10:13pm

Elon University football fails to stop running game, loses to ETSU

By Miles Hayford

With a little over 4,000 in attendance, Elon University football got beaten and battered by East Tennessee State University’s run game, falling 34-14. ETSU looked ready from the jump, beginning the game with an efficient three-minute drive that resulted in Bryson Irby rushing touchdown to go up 7-0. Immediately following the touchdown, Elon got off to a disastrous start with freshman TJ Thomas Jr. fumbling the ball on the first play of Elon’s opening drive. ETSU took advantage of the turnover, scoring their second touchdown within the first five minutes of the game. 

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SPORTS 9/21/24 6:31pm

Big first half helps Elon University men’s soccer defeat Stony Brook

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University men’s soccer team remained undefeated with a 2-1 victory over Stony Brook on Sept. 21. Thanks to a strong first half, Elon managed to hold firm even as Stony Brook chipped away at the Phoenix in the second half. It was Elon’s first win after tying against Wake Forest on Sept. 17. Most of the damage from Elon offensively came in the first half as they converted two of their six goal attempts.

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SPORTS 9/21/24 4:15pm

Carolina Cowboys return to Greensboro for Professional Bull Riding Team Series

By Sarah T. Moore

Starting off the night as No. 1 in the league, the Carolina Cowboys competed on home turf for the third annual Professional Bull Riding Camping World Team Series. The crowd was fired up as audience members wore their boots, dawned their cowboy hats and rang their cowbells. The opening ceremony started with a bang as flashy pyrotechnics spelled out “PBR” in the dirt. The team’s three-day stop in Greensboro — titled Cowboy Days — started Sept. 20. The Cowboys will compete against No. 6 Nashville Stampede on Sept. 21 and No. 7 Missouri Thunder on Sept. 22.

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SPORTS 9/21/24 3:01pm

Elon University men's soccer player celebrates his Hispanic heritage

By Jordyn Forni

Carlos Levy, a redshirt sophomore on Elon University men’s soccer team has a deep connection to Hispanic Heritage Month. Levy was born in Mexico and moved to Miami at 8 years old. He moved among family and friends, and in his experience, Miami had a rich Latino community, he said. He cites his transition to Elon as a more prominent culture shock than originally moving to America. Levy has been playing soccer his whole life and said his devotion to the sport is another way he stays in touch with his heritage.

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SPORTS 9/17/24 11:08am

Elon senior faces off with hockey, academics

By Monika Jurevicius

High Point University women’s hockey captain and Elon senior Melanie Joy “MJ” Volpe had her biggest birthday surprise when she scored a hat trick that secured a 9-2 win against Virginia Tech University at the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League Championships. However, she said her dream would be to wear an Elon women’s hockey jersey, when in reality there is only a men’s club hockey team on campus. Elon alumna Grace Moroney and the High Point men's and women's coaches created the women’s team in the 2021-22 season with a majority of Elon students on its roster.

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SPORTS 9/14/24 10:13pm

Elon University football falls to Western Carolina

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University football team lost its home opener 24-17 to Western Carolina University in a game defined by turnovers and mistakes. As the players ran onto the field, smoke trailing them, the excitement for the home opener Sept. 14 was palpable. A generous crowd had shown up to Rhodes Stadium. This crowd was rewarded early with some entertaining play. Elon started their first drive with a spark of trickery, employing an end-around rush by wide receiver senior Chandler Brayboy that resulted in 16 yards. Elon continues a four game home stretch, playing East Tennessee University next week.

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SPORTS 9/14/24 3:42pm

Former Elon volleyball player returns to coach

By Miles Hayford

The Elon volleyball team has a familiar face this year. Two years after leaving Elon with numerous accolades from her time on the volleyball team, Haylie Clark has returned to Elon’s campus as an assistant coach. During her time at Elon as a student-athlete, Clark played volleyball under head coach Mary Tendler from 2018-22. She earned many achievements during her time, including being named to the 2021 All-Coastal Athletic Association Second Team and the 2021 CAA Setter of the Year. She also racked up 349 kills, 879 digs, 142 blocks and 113 aces during her time at Elon.

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SPORTS 9/12/24 10:16am

Elon University soccer program remains undefeated, stands atop Division I

By Miles Hayford

Elon University’s soccer program is red-hot right now. The first few weeks of games have gone extremely well for the Phoenix, and both soccer teams are playing incredible on the field. Between the men’s and women’s combined 9-0 record, the program is on a tour of wins as the soccer season begins. Elon soccer is the only current program in all of Division I to be undefeated and untied. Additionally, men’s soccer is ranked No.  20 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Poll — the first time the team has reached the top 20 since 2015.

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SPORTS 9/10/24 9:09pm

Elon University volleyball pulls out four-set win

By Miles Hayford

Elon volleyball defeated Norfolk State University in a difficult, four-set affair on Sept. 10 at Schar Center. The Spartans got off to a hot start, jumping to a quick 7-3 lead thanks to a flurry of kills to begin the match. A lengthy point at 8-6 got Elon’s motivation back up, and after a strong serve by senior Sydney Love, the Phoenix tied it up. After Elon tied it up, the two teams traded points in a back-and-forth volley. Despite Elon’s comeback to tie it up, Norfolk State didn’t relent their attack, notching 11 kills to Elon’s three halfway through the first set.

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SPORTS 9/5/24 4:48pm

2024 Fall Sports Preview

By Benjamin Berfield and Miles Hayford

Elon University's football team seeks to claim a conference title alongside starting quarterback Matthew Downing — who just started his seventh year in collegiate football. Men's soccer also has its sights set on conference, while women's soccer welcomes back graduate student defender Katie Lowe for her fifth year. The volleyball team prepares to make the 2024 season better than last year's, while the cross country team adapts to a new head coach. And after a first place finish at nationals in 2022, followed by two, consecutive second place wins in 2023 and 2024, the dance team seeks to continue its momentum. Check out Elon News Network's fall 2024 sports preview for more insight.

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SPORTS 8/30/24 11:01pm

Elon University football falls to Duke, offense fails to find rhythm

By Miles Hayford

Despite the gaping difference between the two programs — Duke was in a Power Four conference in Football Bowl Subdivision football and Elon in the Football Championship Subdivision — the Phoenix came into the game with a fighting chance. They faced a Blue Devils squad that reeked of inexperience due to a brand new head coach and quarterback debuting against Elon. Yet, Elon couldn't pick up momentum on offense and lost 26-3. The phoenix will now look to face North Carolina Central on the road at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7.

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SPORTS 8/30/24 12:00am

Elon University cross-country team embraces change as season approaches

By Miles Hayford

After five straight years of dominance, the Elon cross-country team faces a new challenge this year. Following five CAA championships by the women and sustained success by the men, the team now has an uncertain future under new leadership. After seven years at Elon, head coach Kevin Jermyn resigned and became Duke University’s head coach. Former Eastern Michigan University head cross-country coach Mark Rinker was hired in the offseason and has big shoes to fill. Rinker acknowledges there is already an expectation of success, but he said he hopes to bring his personality and technique to the table.

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SPORTS 8/30/24 12:00am

Elon Dance Team prepares for nationals after two, second place finishes

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University’s dance team is continuing to raise expectations before the season, said Coach Elly Dirks described the team’s growth mindset as a valuable component throughout each performance. Senior dancer Sarah Whiting agreed with Dirks and said the team’s aspirations continue to rise with their recent success. She attributed this toward the talent around the roster. Elon’s dance team has enjoyed a successful three year period thus far. In 2022, they won first place in the hip hop category at nationals and followed that up with two consecutive second place finishes in 2023 and 2024. Three members, including Whiting, remain from the 2022 team.

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SPORTS 8/30/24 12:00am

Elon University football looks to take another step in 2024

By Benjamin Berfield

There is plenty of optimism surrounding Elon University’s football team heading into the 2024 season. Despite not making the 2023 Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, they finished with a 6-5 season which included a 6-2 record in conference play. While they are ranked sixth out of 16 teams in the Colonial Atlantic Conference in a preseason poll conducted by all of the league’s head coaches, head coach Tony Trisciani believes Elon is more than capable of exceeding those rankings. As for the previous season, Trisciani said Elon is aiming to take the next step after missing the playoffs by one game.

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SPORTS 8/30/24 12:00am

Elon University football quarterback grows from adversity

By Miles Hayford

Matthew Downing, the starting quarterback for Elon University’s football team, said going into his seventh year has created a lot of doubt from others, but he remains steadfast in his decision to keep coming back to football. Downing’s seven year college football journey is not normal by any means. College football quarterbacks typically only get four years of eligibility. But Downing was plagued by a lack of playing time, injuries and playing through COVID-19. All three roadblocks provided a path for the NCAA to grant Downing more years of eligibility as his college career went on.

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SPORTS 8/30/24 12:00am

Elon volleyball comes into season with new mindset, experience

By Miles Hayford

A reinvigorated Elon University women’s volleyball team will be stepping onto the court this season — hoping for a better result than last season. The team, led by head coach Mary Tendler, ended last season with a 5-22 record. With six new additions to the program last year, inexperience was one of many pitfalls the team faced throughout the season. The players’ inexperience in the tough environment of college athletics was clear with the team going 0-11 at away games. However, Tendler doesn’t think that will be as much of a problem since those freshmen will now have the experience needed to find success.

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