Elon Athletics Weekly Update

ELON, N.C. – Every Monday, Phoenix fans can get a look at the week ahead with our “Elon Athletics Weekly Update” 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 adidas XC Challenge, Friday, Sept. 18, Cary, N.C.

• The Phoenix cross country programs compete this Friday at the NC State hosted adidas XC Challenge at the WakeMed Soccer Park.
• The men’s and women’s team’s swept the field in its seventh annual home meet, the Elon Invitational, last Saturday, Sept. 12.
• Senior Elyse Bierut was the top female runner to cross the line in the women’s 5K race for the Phoenix with a time of 18:13 and was the runner-up overall.
• Sophomore Sam Geha was the men’s top runner for Elon as he clocked in a time of 26:08 and was also the runner-up in the men’s 8K run.
• Rookie Nick Ciolkowski earned the Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week last Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Fairport, N.Y., native won the men’s 6K race in the Elon Open on Sept. 4, after running a time of 18:33 in his collegiate debut.

Football (1-1)
Inside the Huddle Luncheon, Monday, Sept. 14, at 12 p.m., Best Western Plus
Elon Football Live Radio Show, Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m., The Fat Frogg
Elon vs. North Carolina A&T, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

• The Phoenix picked up its first win of the season, a 21-13 decision over Gardner-Webb in triple overtime, on Saturday.
• In the win, Connor Christiansen twice found Corey Joyner for touchdowns, including the game-winning 25-yard score in the third overtime. Both Corey Mitchell and John Silas set career highs in tackles with 18 and 17, respectively.
• The game was the longest in program history. Elon had twice played two-overtime games and is now 3-0 in multiple overtime contests.
• Elon will play its first home game of the season this week when North Carolina A&T visits Rhodes Stadium for a 6 p.m., game on Saturday. At halftime, the 2015 class of the Elon Sports Hall of Fame will be recognized.
• The Hall of Fame class will be formally inducted at a ceremony at Whitley Auditorium at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Men’s Soccer (5-0)
Elon at No. 14 Wake Forest, Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., Winston-Salem, N.C.
Elon vs. Drexel, Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., Rudd Field

• The Phoenix travels to 14th-ranked Wake Forest on Tuesday before opening up Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday with a home contest versus Drexel.
• Elon is 5-0 for the first time in school history after the Phoenix earned a 4-0 win over Davidson in its home opener on Saturday, Sept.12.
• Rookie forward Jaiden Fortune scored a pair of goals in the Phoenix’s victory over Davidson and is tied for the team lead in goals scored with three. Fortune is also pacing the squad in assists with three.
• The victory over Davidson was also the Phoenix’s fourth clean sheet out of its five games this year. Elon has outscored its opponents 16-2 on the season so far.
• Elon last played the Demon Deacons in 2013 where the Phoenix earned a 1-0 victory over then ninth-ranked Wake Forest at home.
• In the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, Elon was receiving votes and ranked No. 5 in the Midwest Region.

Men’s Tennis
Duke Fab Four, Sept. 18-20, Cary, N.C.

• The Phoenix opened the fall season competing at the ECU Shootout over the weekend.
• Robert Lindgren was champion of Flight 1 after winning each of his three singles matches. He secured the title after losing just 18 games over three matches.
• Mario Paccini, Felipe Osses-Konig, Taylor Foote and Chris Humphreys began their respective seasons with a pair of singles wins.

Volleyball (3-9)
Elon vs. UNCG, Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., Alumni Gym

• Elon finished out the Popcorn Classic in Valparaiso, Ind., over the weekend with a sweep of Savannah State. Sydney Busa was named to the Popcorn Classic All-Tournament Team after 33 kills, 23 digs, 11 blocks and three aces in four matches, including one double-double.
• After five matches last week, the Phoenix only have one match on the schedule this week when it hosts local rival and former Southern Conference opponent UNCG on Wednesday in Alumni Gym.
• Elon and UNCG have played 62 times previously with the Spartans holding the advantage in the all-time series, 35-17. The Phoenix last claimed a win on Nov. 8, 2012, in the form of a 3-1 victory in Greensoboro, N.C.

Women’s Soccer (5-1-1)
Elon at Gardner-Webb, Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., Boiling Springs, N.C.
Elon vs. Charlotte, Sunday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m., Rudd Field

• Elon will look to continue a five-match unbeaten streak as they travel to Gardner-Webb on Friday and host Charlotte on Sunday.
• The Phoenix had a record of four consecutive shutout victories for the first time in the program’s Division I era, but it was ended with the goal by UNCG in the 46th minute on Sunday.
• Since the 74th minute of the NC State match on Aug. 27, Elon had not allowed a goal for 421 consecutive minutes.
• Elon has been solid defensively all season, allowing only three goals in seven matches, and all three came in two matches.