ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women's soccer team hosts a pair of exhibition matches this weekend on Friday and Sunday at Rudd Field. The Phoenix welcomes Liberty to campus on Friday night, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m., before hosting Catawba on Sunday night, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
SEASON PREVIEW: The Phoenix returns 24 players from last year's squad that finished second in the Southern Conference, while welcoming in 12 newcomers. Elon returns a total six players that started more than half of the team's matches last season. Elon finished last year with a 13-3-6 mark and ended the year ranked eighth in the nation in scoring offense. The Phoenix scored in every match last season, the first such occurrence in program history. This year marks Elon's first year in the Colonial Athletic Association. The team's first league match is Sept. 26 versus Hofstra.
HEAD COACH CHRIS NEAL: Chris Neal is in his seventh season as the Elon head women's soccer coach. Neal enters the 2014 season with an overall head coaching record of 60-32-21. Neal was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2012.
LOOKING AHEAD: Following this weekend's exhibition matches, the Phoenix prepares for its 2014 regular season opener against Jacksonville State on Friday, Aug. 22. Elon also hosts instate rival and former conference rival Appalachian State on Sunday, Aug. 24.
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