ELON, N.C. – A barrage of second-half goals by the high-scoring Clemson Tigers proved to be too much for the Elon University women's soccer team to overcome on Friday night, Aug. 29, as the Phoenix dropped a 5-0 decision.
 
Elon (1-2) saw its 24-match scoring streak come to an end, as Clemson (3-0) became the first team to shut out the maroon and gold since Georgia Southern did so on Nov. 2, 2012, in the Southern Conference Tournament semifinals.
 
"I thought we played well in the first half and went toe-to-toe with, in my opinion, one of the best teams in the country," said Elon head coach Chris Neal. "I thought we were unlucky that we didn't go into the half level. We have to solve our second half problems. We saw some bad habits form in our last game against Appalachian State to start the second half and we need to improve in that area."
 
Shannon Horgan found Salma Anastasio on a well-played ball in the 11th minute to give the Tigers an early 1-0 advantage.
 
The Phoenix nearly evened the match in the 20th minute on a Mel Insley free kick, but Clemson goalie Katie Sheridan made a terrific leaping save to knock the ball out of bounds and award the Phoenix a corner.
 
About one minute into the second period, the Tigers took a 2-0 lead after Catrina Atanda scored near the right post on a ball from Tori Andreski.
 
Allie Kington (54'), Anastasio (66') and Atanda (67') scored three goals for the Tigers in the second period as well, putting the match out of reach for the Phoenix.
 
Clemson ended the match with an 11-5 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in corners.
 
Elon returns to the pitch on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Morgantown, W.Va., versus 13th-ranked West Virginia.