DURHAM, N.C. – The Phoenix could not overcome Duke’s impressive first-half scoring performance as Elon (2-2-1) fell 6-0 at Koskinen Stadium Thursday night.  The Blue Devils controlled possession in the match, keeping the ball on the Elon half of the pitch for the majority of the 90 minutes.

With 3:50 remaining in the second half, Duke sealed the victory on a long shot from 20 yards out to the middle of the net from Gretchen Miller on a ball set up by Kendall Bradley.

Sophomore Elisabeth Redmond found the back of the net for the Blue Devils at the 34:28 mark in the first half on a shot from just outside the 18-yard box into the upper right hand corner of the net.  Christie McDonald and KayAnne Gummersall each recorded an assist on the goal, as Duke took an early 1-0 advantage.  

The Blue Devils doubled their lead at the 28:55 point, as senior Lorraine Quinn scored on a cross set up by Kelly Hathorn from outside the six-yard box.  Hathorn put one in the back of the net herself two minutes later on assists from McDonald and Redmond to put Duke up 3-0 with more than 25 minutes remaining in the first half.

Elon keeper Lauren Wisniewski kept the Blue Devils from running away with the lead, stopping a hard shot off the foot of Duke’s Rebecca Allen, but moments later, Allen put one in near the left post on a cross from Kelly McCann as the Blue Devils went up 4-0 with the clock at 20:59.

The first half ended with Duke up five goals to none.  The Blue Devils added their fifth score of the night as CJ Ludemann set up a Carey Goodman goal in the final minutes on a ball that rebounded out of Wisniewski’s arms.

The Phoenix had several chances to change the tide of the game.  Duke posted 13 fouls, several in their own territory, but Elon never managed to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.  

Elon managed just one shot on goal, which game from freshman Megan Deutschle with 14:34 remaining in the first half, but Blue Devil keeper Allison Lipscher made a diving stop to keep the clean sheet.

Elon will continue to face ACC opponents as the squad travels to Blacksburg, Va., on Sunday to face Virginia Tech at 1:00 p.m.  Duke will host Dartmouth on Sunday.