HIGH POINT, N.C. – Freshman Ceci Jensen knocked home her first career goal to help lead the Elon women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the host High Point Panthers in the HPU Invitational at Vert Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win was Elon’s first of the season as the Phoenix improved to 1-1-1. The Panthers dropped to 0-6 on the year.
“Obviously getting this first win and the monkey off our back will help us relax a bit going forward,” commented Elon head coach Chris Neal. “This was a great team effort. We used a lot of bodies for our second game of the weekend. A lot of people played a part in the win and did their jobs well. Nevertheless, there is a lot to improve on as we prepare to face a great team in Coastal Carolina on Wednesday.”
Elon had several opportunities to take the lead early in the final period, playing most of the minutes in its attacking third of the field. Midway through, Jensen put Elon on the board for the first time this season. The rookie took the ball from midfield and dribbled through the defense to the top of the box, rocketing a strike from 18 yards out to give the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage at the 66:53 mark. The goal proved the ultimate game-winner as the Elon defense did its job for the remainder of the game to secure the shutout.
Defense was also the story of the first half, with neither team able to get much pressure at the net. Elon did most of the attacking, registering nine shots compared to only two by High Point. The Phoenix had three consecutive corner kicks in the final minute of the half, but was unable to capitalize.
For the game, the Phoenix held a 15-10 advantage in shots and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. HPU goalie Marisa Abbott stopped eight shots on the afternoon while Elon keeper Sydney Little cleared three attempts to earn her second clean slate of the season. Playing its second contest in a three-day span, Elon used 24 players in the victory.
Jensen, freshman defender Claire O’Keefe and sophomore defender Andrea Keller were named to the all-tournament team.
The Phoenix will return home to challenge Coastal Carolina on Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. at Rudd Field.
-- ELON --
