LEXINGTON, Va. – The Elon University women’s soccer team captured its first win of 2012 on Friday night, August 24, as the Phoenix offense came alive in a 4-0 victory over the Virginia Military Institute at Patchin Field.
Elon (1-1-1) put five of its eight shots on-goal in the win, while sophomore goalie Kate Murphy earned the shutout for the Phoenix in 90 minutes between the posts. Murphy, a preseason All-Southern Conference selection, tallied four saves to earn the win in her first action of 2012.
“I thought VMI played a great game and it happened to be one of those games where we were just extremely efficient in front of the goal,” said Elon head coach Chris Neal. “It was nice to have Kate Murphy back in goal today. She gives our team a lot of confidence and calmness in a variety of situations and she played a great game today.”
Elon got on the scoreboard just eight minutes into the game when Samantha Burch headed in Julie Hibberd’s cross into the lower left corner of the net to give the maroon and gold a 1-0 edge.
Shortly thereafter, senior Jaclyn Wood put the Phoenix ahead by two goals in the 14th minute after free kick by Olivia Mackey was blocked and hit down in front of Wood, leading to shot in front of the net past VMI (0-2-0) keeper Mackenzie Harrmann.
Elon led 2-0 at intermission, as the Phoenix held a 6-5 advantage in shots, but trailed 2-0 in corners.
Mackey gave Elon some insurance late in the second half, netting her first goal of the year in the 80th minute when she blasted a tipped shot by a VMI defender into the back of the net for the score.
Elon took a 4-0 lead in the 82nd minute when Raychel Diver headed in a Caroline O’Dee cross for the score.
Tonight’s crowd of nearly 900 fans was the largest in VMI women’s soccer history.