ELON, N.C. – Three second-half goals from Appalachian State proved to be too much for the Elon University women's soccer team to overcome on Sunday, Aug. 24, as the Phoenix dropped a 3-1 decision to its former conference rival.
Merlin Beckwith scored twice and Lindsey Tully once for the Mountaineers, while Elon's
Julie Hibberd scored her first career goal in the 90th minute to keep Elon's 24-match goal streak alive. The Phoenix has now scored in every match since Nov. 2, 2012.
Elon moves to 1-1 with the setback, while ASU goes to 1-0 after its first match of the year.
"I thought we stood up to the test physically today considering we were playing an opponent that did not play a game on Friday night," said Elon head coach
Chris Neal. "I thought we had several chances to get the ball in dangerous spaces in front of their goal, but our service and execution was very poor today."
The two squads finished the afternoon even in shots at eight apiece while Elon ended with an 11-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Beckwith scored the match's first goal in the 52nd minute after scoring from 10 yards out on a ball from Tully to put the Phoenix behind.
Tully made it a 2-0 game seven minutes later after heading in a Nicole Steyl corner in the 59th minute of play.
Beckwith struck again in the 62nd minute after landing in a shot from 20 yards out to put Elon down, 3-0.
Hibberd scored her first career goal with time winding down in the second period, as the junior's strike from near the right post made it behind ASU keeper Amy Kolowsky to bring it to 3-1.
Elon returns to action at home on Friday night, Aug. 29, against Clemson.
-- ELON --