Elon WSOC Phoenix Falls to Drexel on Senior Day

ELON, N.C. – Elon University women’s soccer fell to the Drexel Dragons, 4-0, on Senior Day at Rudd Field on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22.

BOX SCORE

With the loss and William & Mary’s 3-1 victory over Towson, the Phoenix has officially been narrowly eliminated from the CAA Women’s Soccer Championships.

Before the match, the Phoenix honored its seven-member senior class of Susannah Anderson, Kendall Ballotti, Grace Bennett, Molly Gradl, Amanda Lasater, Hanna Macaulay, Sydney Schilling.

“We did so many good things today but we lost the battle of the penalty boxes,” said head coach Chris Neal. “Drexel were clinical today and proved why they are the number two seed in the CAA. The first 20 minutes felt very comfortable for us. We had a great chance to go up 1-0 that could’ve changed the dynamics of the match. Regardless of the result today, we’ve showed tremendous progress in this league, which is one of the toughest in the country. This senior class leaves us with a winning record, a rise up the CAA standings, a winning mentality, and a blueprint for what a true team looks like. As their head coach, I will miss them tremendously and am so thankful to have had these past four years alongside them.”

The Phoenix finish the season 9-6-4 overall and 2-4-3 in conference action. Drexel finishes second in the league with a 11-6-1 overall record and a 6-2-1 mark in CAA action.

HIGHLIGHTS
Tori Baliatico created the first chance for the Phoenix in the third minute, but her attempt was saved by Drexel goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami. Hannah Doherty’s shot in the 12 minute was also denied by Ogunsami to keep the match level.

Drexel made the breakthrough in the 21st minute as Imani Walker finished a rebound off the crossbar with her head to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead.

Doherty had another great look in the 23rd minute and Ogunsami was there for another save. Drexel extended its lead 2-0 as Shaelyn McCarty finished Rachel Sharkey’s cross in the 37th minute. The Dragons had the two-goal lead at halftime.

At the start of the second half, the Phoenix came out aggresive, but with just over three minutes into the second half, the Dragons hit Elon on the counter attack and Raenah Campbell put the Dragons up 3-0 with a goal in the 48th minute to extend Drexel’s off of a through-ball from Walker.

The visitors added to its lead in the 82nd minute with a goal from Melissa Lyon off a pass from Shaelyn McCarty in a two-on-one chance against Macaulay.

The Dragons would hold on for the 4-0 win after Elon created several chances in the final minutes. The Phoenix ends the year with its second winning season in its four years as a member of the CAA.

The Phoenix outshot the Dragons 14-11 and won the corner battle 4-0 against Drexel, despite the loss.