WILMINGTON, N.C. – Despite erasing a three-goal deficit in the second half, the Elon University women’s soccer dropped a 4-3 decision to the Longwood Lancers on Friday, Sept. 13, on day one of the UNCW Courtyard Marriott Wilmington Invitational.
After falling behind 3-0, the Phoenix scored three straight goals, capped off by a Nicole Dennion strike in the 85th minute, to tie the match at 3-all.
But seconds later, Longwood’s Amanda Specner completed her hat trick and gave the Lancers a 4-3 lead, one it would not relinquish on the final minutes.
Elon drops to 3-1-1 on the year, while Longwood improves to 1-3-2.
Spencer gave the Lancers a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute after she stole the ball off the foot of Phoenix keeper Kate Murphy and cut back to the middle of the pitch for the goal. Longwood extended its lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute after an Alana Mackey score near the top of the penalty area.
Following another Spencer goal for Longwood in the 57th minute, Jennifer McGorty made it a 3-1 game after scoring on a cross from the left side by Chelsey Stark.
Rachel Hallman pulled the Phoenix within a goal in the 75th minute after knocking in a header off a Bethany Houpt corner kick to make it a 3-2 match.
But Elon’s furious comeback fell just short late, as Longwood managed to match every Phoenix score.
Elon finished the match with a 17-15 edge in shots and an 8-5 advantage in corners.
Elon returns to action at the UNCW Courtyard Marriott Invitational on Sunday at noon against Texas A&M – Corpus Christi.