Insley’s Free Kick Lifts Elon WSOC Phoenix to 1-0 Victory

ELON, N.C. – Senior midfielder Mel Insley struck a perfect game-winning free kick that bulged the top right corner of the net as the Elon University women’s soccer team defeated Coastal Carolina 1-0 on Friday, Sept. 11, at Rudd Field.

“It’s absolutely awesome,” said Insley about Elon’s performance to earn its fourth straight win. “I love seeing our team taking what the coaches provide us every day in practice. They’ve been putting so much effort and hard work behind the scenes. It’s great to see all of the dedication and effort that came from the players to get us this win.”

The Highlights
Elon (5-1-0) had a tough first 45 minutes with Coastal Carolina (3-4-0) as both teams were at a 0-0 stalemate at the half. Madi Simons had the best chance for the Chanticleers as her attempt in the 13th minute clanked off the crossbar and landed just in front of goal. Elon cleared the ball away to keep the match scoreless.

Both teams cranked up the tempo in the second half creating 17 chances combined. Alissa Pantusco rifled a shot in the 50th minute that was blocked by a defender, and Kelly Siewers had a shot saved in the 52nd minute. The Chanticleers created two great opportunities for themselves, including a shot in the 52nd minute that forced Taylor Mohr to make a save.

After a quiet 14 minutes of action, Coastal Carolina committed a foul in a dangerous position in the 66th minute, giving Insley an opportunity at goal from 20 yards out. Insley hit the ball perfectly with a cracking shot into the top right corner of the net to give Elon a 1-0 lead.

Each team continued to trade opportunities back and forth for the next 24 minutes, but Mohr (3-0) came up with the most important play down the stretch. She made a huge save in the 82nd minute on a Coastal Carolina counter attack to preserve another shutout and the 1-0 victory.

Match Notes
– The Phoenix have now recorded four consecutive shutout victories for the first time in the program’s Division I era. The previous record was three consecutive shutout victories in 2008 from Sept. 12-19.
– Elon is off to one of its best starts in the program’s Divison I era. They have now won five of their first six matches of the season for the first time since 2010, when they started 6-1 overall in their first seven.
– The goal was Insley’s third of her career, and first since Aug. 22, 2014 against Jacksonville State.
– Mohr has now earned a shutout and a win in the first three starts of her college career, improving to a 3-0 record this season.

Up Next
On Sunday, Elon heads down the road to Greensboro, N.C. to take on the UNCG Spartans for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Live video coverage will be provided on the SoCon Digital Network.