First Half Goals Leads Elon Women’s Soccer to 2-0 Win Over Davidson

ELON, N.C. – First half goals from Taylor Paradoski and Tori Baliatico, plus strong defensive play, lead the Elon Women’s Soccer team to a 2-0 victory over the Davidson Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 15, at Rudd Field.

BOX SCORE
“I am very proud of our team’s effort, especially in the first half,” said head coach Chris Neal. “We played a very complete game in the first 45 minutes and our defense was solid for the entire match tonight. The win gets us moving into the right direction with conference play starting next week. Winning is always fun.”

The Phoenix improves to 4-4-1 overall with the victory and extends its unbeaten streak to two matches. Davidson falls to 4-5-0 on the season with the loss.

HIGHLIGHTS
The first chance of the match for the Phoenix ended up in the back of the net in the 17th minute. Sydney Schilling played a perfect ball from the left side of the box and Paradoski finished to give Elon a 1-0 advantage.

About seven minutes later, Schilling had a chance of her own attempting to place a shot into the top right corner, but Davidson goalkeeper Alex Carpenter made the save.

The Phoenix continued to apply pressure in possession, and it would pay off. After Baliatico’s initial shot was saved by Carpenter, she was there for the rebound in the 28th minute to extend Elon’s lead. The maroon and gold went into halftime holding a 2-0 lead after outshooting the Wildcats 6-0 in the first 45 minutes.

Davidson turned it around in the second half outshooting the Phoenix 5-1 in the frame. Alexis de Groot created Elon’s only chance of the half in the 58th minute. However, Carpenter saved her sliding effort. The Phoenix held on defensively for the 2-0 home win.

NOTES
– The goal for Taylor Paradoski was her first-career goal at Elon
– Tori Baliatico scored her second goal of the season and is tied with Sydney Schilling and Erin Tanhauser for a team-high this season.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix opens Colonial Athletic Association play next week on Friday, Sept. 23, against the Towson Tiger for Hispanic Heritage night. Kickoff on Rudd Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.