ELON, N.C. – Every Monday, Phoenix fans can get a look at the week ahead with our “This Week in Elon Athletics” feature when we will preview all the week’s upcoming events for our sports teams. “Follow us” on Twitter at @elonphoenix and @elonscores, “Like” Elon Phoenix on Facebook and continue to check elonphoenix.com to stay current on all things Elon Athletics.
Cross Country
Elon at Elon Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 15, Elon Cross Country Course
• Saturday will mark the fourth annual Elon Invitational for the Phoenix men’s and women’s cross country team.
• The meet will take place on Elon’s cross country course on South Campus. The women’s race will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the men at 9:45 a.m.
• In 2011, the Phoenix women won the race, placing four runners in the top 10, while the men claimed third.
Football (1-1)
Elon vs. West Virginia State, Saturday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m., Rhodes Stadium
• Elon picked up its first win of the season by knocking off North Carolina Central, 34-14, on Saturday. The maroon and gold has now won four consecutive home openers.
• Quarterback Thomas Wilson attempted just 18 passes in the win over N.C. Central, the fewest pass attempts in his 14 career starts.
• Kicker Adam Shreiner accounted for 10 points in Saturday’s victory. He now ranks sixth on Elon’s all-time scoring chart (226 points) and is tied for second in career field goals (36).
• The Phoenix will welcome in West Virginia State for a 3 p.m. contest this weekend. Elon is 1-0 all-time against the Yellow Jackets, claiming a 60-13 victory in 1993.
Men’s Golf
Elon at Raines Development Group Intercollegiate, Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 10-11, Florence, S.C.
• The Phoenix men’s golf team will compete in its first tournament of the 2012-13 season this week.
• The Raines Development Group Intercollegiate is hosted by Francis Marion and features 16 teams including SoCon rivals Appalachian State, Wofford and Furman.
• The Elon roster does not sport a senior and boasts four juniors including two of last year’s top performers in John Somers and Jack Adkins.
Men’s Soccer (3-1)
Elon at #19 Coastal Carolina, Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., Conway, S.C.
• Senior forward Chris Thomas scored four goals this past weekend at the Hyatt Place Select Invitational at Lipscomb, leading Elon to a pair of wins over Lipscomb and Belmont en route to tournament MVP honors. Thomas has scored six goals already this season and is the Southern Conference’s active leader with 36 goals in his career.
• Daniel Lovitz, Matt Wescoe and Nathan Dean were also named to the Hyatt Place Select Invitational All-Tournament team for their efforts.
• Elon will square off against No. 19 ranked Coastal Carolina on Friday for the first time since the two met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year in Conway.
Men’s Tennis
Duke Fab Four, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 14-16, Durham, N.C.
• Elon men’s tennis begins its fall campaign on the road at the Duke Fab Four in Durham, N.C.
• The Phoenix returns all but one player from last year’s squad, including All-Southern Conference selections Cameron Silverman, Stefan Fortmann and Jordan Kaufman.
Volleyball (3-4)
Elon vs. High Point, Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., Alumni Gym
Colonial Challenge
Elon at William & Mary, Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., Williamsburg, Va.
Elon vs. Hampton, Saturday, Sept. 15, at noon, Williamsburg, Va.
Elon vs. Howard, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m., Williamsburg, Va.
• Elon went 2-2 last week, picking up an exciting five-set win at Radford and beating East Carolina, 3-1, in the Duke Classic. Freshman Megan Gravley recorded a career-high 24 kills at Radford, while also tallying 11 digs for her first double-double.
• The Phoenix will host local opponent High Point on Tuesday night in Alumni Gym. Last season, the maroon and gold swept the Panthers with the help of 10 kills from sophomore Kris Harris.
• Elon will play in its last non-conference matches this weekend in the Colonial Challenge at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. The Phoenix will be looking for revenge against Hampton after falling to the Pirates, 3-2, in the first match of the season.
Women’s Golf
Elon at Terrier Intercollegiate, Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 10-11, Spartanburg, S.C.
• The Elon women’s golf program will play in its first tournament of 2012-13 season this week.
• The Terrier Intercollegiate, hosted by league rival Wofford, features 13 programs. Other SoCon teams in the field include Appalachian State, The Citadel and Samford.
• Elon’s roster of seven players features two seniors – Diana Davis and Martyna Mierzwa – along with two sophomores and three freshmen.
Women’s Soccer (1-5-1)
Elon at High Point, Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., High Point, N.C.
Elon vs. Francis Marion, Sunday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m., Rudd Field
• Caroline O’Dee was named to the UNCW Courtyard Marriott Wilmington All-Tournament team this past week after a pair of solid performances for the Phoenix.
• Friday’s match against local rival High Point marks the 19th all-time meeting between the Phoenix and Panthers. Elon leads the series with a 13-1-4 all-time mark.
• The Phoenix returns home on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. when it hosts Francis Marion at Rudd Field. It marks the third all-time meeting between the two schools and first since the 1997 season.
Women’s Tennis
Elon Fall Invitational, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 14-16, Elon, N.C.
• Phoenix women’s tennis opens its fall schedule on Friday with the Elon Fall Invitational.
• Elon returns all but two players from last season, including All-Southern Conference selections Jordan Johnston, Frida Jansaker and Barbora Lazarova.