ELON, N.C. – Molly Gerst scored twice while Stephanie Martin added a goal and an assist to lead the Central Michigan Chippewas to a 4-0 non-conference women’s soccer victory over the Elon Phoenix from Rudd Field in the season-opener for both squads on Friday night. The Phoenix fell to 0-1-0 on the season while the Chippewas moved to 1-0-0.
Erin Douglas got Central Michigan on the board at 25:20 when she collected a pass from Martin and beat Elon’s Lauren Wisniewski for the score. Nearly 15 minutes later, Martin tallied her first goal of the season as she made a move around a Phoenix defender at the top of the box and blasted a score to put the Chippewas ahead 2-0 at 40:29.
The 2-0 CMU advantage remained into the second period when Gerst scored her first marker of the evening. Sarah Burns played a ball into the box at Gerst’s feet and she found the back of the net to provide a 3-0 margin at 53:08. Gerst’s second goal came at the 67:29 mark when she took the ball from an Elon back line player and easily scored the final point of the game.
Wisniewski played the first 45 minutes in goal for the Phoenix, allowing two goals and grabbing four saves. Lizz Johnson took the final 45 minutes in net and made two stops and let in two scores.
Shay Mannino stopped five shots while playing 75:06 in goal for the Chippewas. Hannah Bengston played the final 14:54 and did not have to make a save.
On the night, CMU out-shot Elon by a 17-8 margin, including an 11-5 edge in shots on goal.
The Phoenix will return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon, visiting the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers for a 1:00 p.m. contest. The Chippewas will remain in the Triad to take on UNC Greensboro at the same start time on Sunday.
– ELON –
