ELON, N.C. – Playing the university's first official contest as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, the Elon University women's soccer team captured a 2-0 win over visiting Jacksonville State on Friday night, Aug. 22, at Rudd Field.
 
Rookie Grace Bennett scored an early goal in the 10th minute which proved to be the inevitable game-winner, while Mel Insley's 40-yard free kick score gave Elon late insurance. The Phoenix defense was stellar against the Gamecocks all night long and limited JSU to few dangerous scoring opportunities.
 
"I thought tonight was a typical first outing for both teams," said Elon head coach Chris Neal. "There were times when the game was pretty and there were times when the game was ugly. But we did enough to win and we'll go and watch the video and move on to Sunday's match."
 
Bennett put the Phoenix on the board in the 10th minute after breaking through the Gamecocks defense and ripping it past JSU keeper Caroline Robinson for her first career goal. Bennett dribbled through a pair of JSU defenders and landed a beautiful strike into the back right corner of the net from about 18 yards away.
 
Elon led at the break, 1-0, putting six shots on target and allowing the Gamecocks to only one.
 
Insley gave the Phoenix a 2-0 lead in the 66th minute after scoring on a free kick from 40 yards out near the far sideline. Insley also played great defense for the Phoenix to help secure the shutout.
 
Elon ended the match with a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. Goalies Sydney Branson and Kate Murphy each played 45 minutes. Branson earned the win and ended the night with two saves, while Murphy finished with one save in the match's final half.
 
On Sunday, Elon welcomes former conference rival Appalachian State to Rudd Field for a 2 p.m. kick.