Women’s Soccer: Elon and App State Battle to Draw in Boone

BOONE, N.C. – A second-half scoring barrage by the Elon University women’s soccer team and Appalachian State Mountaineers paved the way for a 3-3 draw on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 29, at the ASU Soccer Stadium.

“Today was a very exciting and hard-fought soccer game,” said Elon head coach Chris Neal. “Appalachian State played with more enthusiasm than I have ever seen from a team on a Sunday, which is always difficult in this league. A tie was a fitting end for both teams today.”

Following an Appalachian State goal in the 67th minute that tied the match, 1-1, Jennifer McGorty knocked in an Olivia Mackey corner kick 35 seconds later to give Elon a one-goal lead, 2-1. McGorty has scored in back-to-back games and has totaled five goals so far this season.

The Phoenix responded again shortly after a Mountaineers goal in the 73rd minute, as Angela Funari scored on a Mackey pass in the 79th minute to put the maroon and gold ahead, 3-2.

But the Mountaineers battled back with 50 seconds remaining in regulation on a Merlin Beckwith score to tie the match at 3-all and send it to overtime.

Following five combined goals in the second half, the two teams went scoreless in the extra sessions, as neither squad could put the golden goal in the back of the net.

ASU ended the match with a 12-8 advantage in shots. The Mountaineers put 7-of-12 shots on-target, while Elon put 6-of-8.

Chelsey Stark put the Phoenix on the board just 41 seconds into the match after connecting with Alexis de Groot near the top of the box and landing a strike into the back left corner of the goal. Stark has scored in two straight games.

Elon has scored three or more goals in six of its ten games this season.

The Phoenix returns to action on Oct. 4 in Charleston, S.C., versus The Citadel.