Elon Women’s Soccer Defeats Chattanooga 4-1 in Home Opener

ELON, N.C. – Four Phoenix players scored, including senior Susannah Anderson scoring for the third straight game, and the Elon University women’s soccer team defeated Chattanooga 4-1 in its home opener on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27, at Rudd Field.

FINAL STATS

“It was great to see so many of our players make an impact in our home opener,” said head coach Chris Neal. “Chattanooga was hard to break down and are a very well coached team. I’m so proud of our team. They are committed to getting better every time we compete.”

The Phoenix improves to 3-1 overall with the victory. The Mocs fall to 1-2-1 on the season with its second straight loss.

HIGHLIGHTS
Elon scored twice in the final 15 minutes of the first half to grab a 2-0 lead at the break. Anderson scored in her third straight game with a thumping header in the 30th minute to give the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage.

Junior Lauren McKeever got on the score sheet for the first time in her career in the 38th minute, hitting Tori Baliatico’s cross first time into the top right corner from 12 yards.

Freshman Carson Jones came up with a close opportunity in the 74th minute but her effort hit the post. Chattanooga would get on the score sheet for the first time in the 82nd minute, drawing a penalty, and Chloe Arnold converted for her third goal of the season to make it a 2-1 Elon lead.

Just 11 seconds later, Taylor Paradoski took a ball from Hanna Doherty and lobbed Chattanooga goalkeeper Melia Correa to give the Phoenix a 3-1 cushion with just under eight minutes to play.

Jones capped off the victory with her first-career goal in the 89th minute, beating a defender after Meredith Christopher’s initial ball and scored on the near post to solidify Elon’s 4-1 victory.

Senior goalkeeper Hanna Macaulay picked up the win in net improving to 1-0-0 on the season after 85 minutes of action. Freshman Valentina Estrada made her first-career appearance entering for the final five minutes of the contest.

NOTES
– The Phoenix outshot the Mocs 18-4 during the match and forced Chattanooga to make five saves.
– Susannah Anderson has now scored in three consecutive games. She is currently second on the team in scoring with three goals and also has seven total points.
– Both Lauren McKeever and Carson Jones scored their first-career goals for the Phoenix. Hannah Dohertyrecorded her first-career point, assisting Taylor Paradoski’s goal in the 82nd minute.
– Elon has scored 11 goals in its first four games this season, the most since scoring 11 in its first four games in 2013.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix returns to Rudd Field to complete its three-match homestand. Elon hosted Western Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. The maroon and gold will close out the homestand with a matchup against ACC in-state foe NC State on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m.