ELON, N.C. – Although Elon dominated most of the possession and created a ton of chances, Melanie Spensiero's goal in the 49^th minute proved to be the difference as the Elon University women's soccer team fell to UNCG 1-0 on Friday night, Aug. 26, at Rudd Field.
 
With the loss, Elon falls to 1-2-0 overall and the UNCG Spartans improve their unbeaten start to 2-0-1 overall. Taylor Mohr made some fantastic saves in the second half to keep the Phoenix within a goal and Elon created a flurry of chances, but UNCG was able to hold on to the victory.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
The Phoenix outshot the Spartans in the first half 7-5 and created many dangerous situations in the first 45 minutes. Five minutes into the match, Susannah Anderson had a great chance on a fantastic ball played to her, but the forward's header missed to the right of the goal.
 
Tori Baliatico received a pass from Sydney Schilling less than four minutes later but her attempt sailed over the crossbar. In the 22^nd minute, Elon won a corner kick and headers by Kendall Ballotti and Anderson were blocked and saved respectively.
 
Sarah Henson had Elon's best opportunity to end the half, but her header off a cross, missed to the right. Although the Phoenix created chances, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0 at the break.
 
In the second half, UNCG was the first to strike in the 49^th minute. Melanie Spensiero finished a cross from Diarra Simmons to she tapped into the left corner of the net. UNCG created some more chances over the next 15 minutes, including a shot from Caylin Prillaman that hit the crossbar in the 66^th minute.
 
Taylor Mohr made the first of her four saves in the 67^th minute, tipping a shot from Dena Cisic over the goal. Mohr also made big saves in the 76^th and the 84^th minute to keep the Phoenix within a goal.
 
Elon's final opportunity in the 89^th minute from Ballotti was saved by UNCG goalkeeper Chloe Buehler and the Spartans held on to the 1-0 victory. Although UNCG has the edge in the shot count 13-11, Elon dominated most of possession throughout the match.
 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix begins its four-match road swing on Sunday when they face No. 8 Clemson at 2 p.m. at Historic Riggs Field. You can watch the match live on ACC Network Extra on the WatchESPN app.