Box Score

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Simi Dhaliwal’s score in the 65th minute proved to be the difference on Sunday afternoon, as the No. 5 seeded Elon University women’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the 2010 Southern Conference Tournament with a 1-0 victory over the No. 4 seeded College of Charleston. The victory marks Elon’s first SoCon Tournament win in women’s soccer history.

Despite being outshot, 16-4, by the Cougars (9-10-1), the Phoenix (12-7-1) made the most of its limited chances, as Dhaliwal buried a Chelsey Stark pass in the back left corner of the net to give Elon a 1-0 lead about 20 minutes into the second half.

The Phoenix defense took over from there, as goalkeeper Kristen Haney and a host of Elon defenders kept the Cougars in check for the duration of the game to help Elon advance to Cullowhee, N.C. Elon will face the winner of the UNC Greensboro/Wofford game currently in progress. The shutout marks Elon’s seventh of the season.

“Our team played exceptional today on defense and executed our game plan to perfection,” said Elon head women’s soccer coach Chris Neal. “Give Charleston credit for the way they attacked us on offense, but I was very pleased with the way our team played at both ends of the field today.”

Elon just missed scoring the match’s first goal in the 38th minute, but Dhaliwal’s header inside the box fell into the hands of CofC goalie Katie Tate for the save to keep the match scoreless.

The Cougars nearly got on the board in the 41st minute with a strike on the left side of the field by Sarah Schaldle, but Haney made a diving save to her left to keep it scoreless.  Haney finished the contest with four saves.

Elon registered just a pair of shots in the opening frame, while CofC tallied 11.

But the Phoenix made the most of its limited chances in the second half, as Dhaliwal blasted her third goal of the season in the 65th minute when Stark found her in the middle of the box to give Elon a 1-0 advantage. The assist marks Stark’s fifth of the season, tying her with Alanna Winsper and Brittany Hallberg for the team lead.

Elon plays at 5 p.m. on Friday versus the winner of No. 1 UNCG and No. 8 Wofford.