Elon WSOC Phoenix Earns 2-0 Shutout Win at Davidson

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Tori Baliatico scored for the second consecutive match in the second half and Sydney Schilling’s opening goal guided the Elon University women’s soccer team to its fourth straight win with a 2-0 victory over Davidson on Sunday, Sept. 17, at Alumni Soccer Stadium.

BOX SCORE

“It was a great day for our team,” said head coach Chris Neal. “It was a Sunday match and it was hot. We used many substitutions and got great contributions from a variety of our players. Today was a great springboard into CAA play.”

The Phoenix improves to 7-2-1 overall with the victory and the Wildcats fall to 2-7-0 on the season after the loss.

HIGHLIGHTS
Schilling put the Phoenix ahead 1-0 in the ninth minute, poking the shot into the net on the near post off Baliatico’s corner. Susannah Anderson headed the ball across the face of goal, Molly Gradl’s header hit the crossbar, and Schilling finished after her first initial shot was saved.

Hannah Doherty created another great chance for the Phoenix in the 34th minute, but her header off Meredith Christopher’s cross, clanked off the crossbar.

The Phoenix outshot the Wildcats 7-4 in the first half and held a one goal advantage after 45 minutes.

Elon extended its lead 2-0 just over eight minutes into the second half. Baliatico dribbled half of the pitch, cut a defender to the inside, and fired a shot from 20 yards into the top right corner for her third goal of the season.

Christopher created another good chance off of Baliatico’s cross from the left, however, her shot hit the crossbar and out of play.

Elon continued to create chances throughout the half, totaling four in the final 45 minutes, and the Phoenix held on to shut out Davidson. Hanna Macaulay remains unbeaten in net this season, improving her mark to 5-0-1 overall and earned her third-career shutout. She made the biggest of her three saves in the second half, diving to deny Cameron France a chance in the 76th from inside the six yard box.

NOTES
– Sydney Schilling became the 13th different Phoenix to score a goal this season, the third most by a Phoenix team in the program’s Division I era since 1999. Only the 2013 (15) and 2012 (14) teams had more goal scorers on their squads.
– The maroon and gold ends the non-conference portion of its schedule with four straight victories heading into conference play.
– Elon is undefeated in the last six meetings and has won five straight against the Wildcats.
– The Phoenix has won four straight for the first time since Aug. 30 – Sept. 11, during the 2015 season.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix kicks off Colonial Athletic Association action on Thursday, Sept. 21 hosting the UNCW Seahawks on Latin Night at Rudd Field. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. with Latin Night festivities starting at 6 p.m.