ELON, N.C. – Despite a combined 41 shots, including 21 on goal, the Elon University women’s soccer team battled The Citadel Bulldogs to a 1-1 draw on Friday night, Sept. 28, at Rudd Field.
“I’m excited about the number of chances we were able to create tonight,” said Elon head coach Chris Neal. “We had a number of chances to score and it just didn’t work out tonight. Give credit to The Citadel, they did a great job defending us tonight and had two field players clear balls off the end line and their goalkeeper made an outstanding save early. It was a good soccer game and I am really excited about the opportunities we had tonight, it was definitely the most all season.”
Elon’s (2-6-4, 0-1-2 Southern Conference) score came courtesy of Jennifer McGorty in the 56th minute, as the junior landed a strike from about 20 yards out over The Citadel’s Sarah Katchen for the score to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead. Katie Boyle and Kimmie Krauss picked up the double assist for Elon.
The Bulldogs answered in the 64th minute when Nicole Levermann landed in a header in the back right corner of the goal past a diving Kate Murphy for the equalizer.
The Citadel ended the match with a 21-20 edge in total shots, including an 11-10 advantage in shots on-goal. The Phoenix outshot the Bulldogs 16-11 in the second period and two overtime periods.
Phoenix goalie Kate Murphy played all 110 minutes and totaled 10 saves. Murphy and the Elon defense stifled the Bulldogs on several occasions in the match, holding The Citadel to just one score.
Olivia Mackey nearly gave the Phoenix a one-goal lead in the 74th minute off a free kick, but the Bulldogs’ Katchen made a great save to keep the match knotted at 1-1.
Shannon Foley create issues for the Bulldogs in the box all night long, heading several corners that just missed or were saved. Elon finished the match with a 7-3 advantage in corners.
The Phoenix returns to Rudd Field on Sunday at 2 p.m. when it hosts College of Charleston.