Elon Women’s Soccer Shuts Down College of Charleston at Home

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women’s soccer team took an early lead and never looked back on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 30, at Rudd Field, as the Phoenix blanked the College of Charleston Cougars 2-0 in a key Southern Conference matchup.

Elon improves to 3-6-4 (1-1-2 Southern Conference) with the victory, while CofC falls to 3-8 (2-2 Southern Conference) with the setback.

“I just feel really great for our team today,” said Phoenix head coach Chris Neal. “They worked hard for all 90 minutes and our equation was very simple: don’t get out-worked and try to play the game as much as possible in their half. We accomplished both of those things today and we had some very good performances.”

Taylor Glenn put the Phoenix on the scoreboard in the 10th minute when Chelsey Stark burst through the College of Charleston defense up the middle and hit her rookie teammate on the left side of the box. Glenn’s strike landed in the back left corner of the goal to give Elon a 1-0 advantage. The goal is the first of Glenn’s collegiate career.

Stark gave the maroon and gold a 2-0 lead in the 61st minute when a previous shot by Raychel Diver was blocked in front of the goal by College of Charleston goalie Eli Sarasola directly in front of Stark. Stark proceeded to rip the shot into the back of the net for her first goal of the season to give the Phoenix a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars had a pair of great chances down the stretch to limit Elon’s lead to one goal, but Phoenix keeper Kate Murphy made two great saves to keep the shutout intact. Murphy ended the match with six saves and her third clean slate of the season.

The Cougars ended the match with a 13-10 edge in shots, but the Phoenix claimed an 8-6 advantage in shots on-goal. Elon also ended the match with a 5-2 edge in corners.

Elon returns to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 5, in Spartanburg, S.C., when it takes on the Wofford Terriers.