ELON, N.C. – Elon University women's soccer moved to 8-3-1 overall and 2-1-0 in conference after defeating William & Mary 3-2 in overtime on Thursday, Oct. 3.
 
"Once again we showed resilience and we showed a lot of grit tonight. We've always got the ability to respond well after we've been scored on. However, for our standards we should've played better," head coach Neil Payne explained. "We're excited about the win and we're excited about where we are in the conference, but we know we can play better. There's a few things that we still need to fix, our standards are such that some of the things that went on during the game are unacceptable, but we're pleased with the win. Still, we should've been more clinical in the first ten minutes and we should've been more clinical in the last ten minutes [of regulation] but we deserved this win. You've got to give credit to William & Mary for never giving up, but we still need to have more focus in those moments."
 
Jessica Carrieri's game-winner in overtime gave Elon their eighth victory on the season and moved them into a four-way tie for second place in the CAA.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Defense played the biggest role in the first half with both teams being held scoreless by the other. Despite the early offensive struggles, Elon was creating chances, recording seven shots and three corners in the opening half.
 
The Phoenix got things going early in the second half when Kayla Hodges was in perfect position to receive a Beky Myers cross and finish off the play with a goal. Her header in the 47^th minute gave Elon a 1-0 lead just after halftime.
 
Elon extended their lead to 2-0 in the 61^st minute when Taylor Paradoski snuck behind the Tribe's back line and found the back of the net for the fourth time this season. The chance came on a beautiful through ball from Bethany Harford that skipped through two William & Mary defenders to find Paradoski for the goal.  
 
William & Mary scored two quick goals in the 84^th and 85^th minutes to even the score at 2-2. The goals forced overtime in a game that was in Elon's control for most of regulation.
 
In the first overtime, Elon keeper Katrin Hauksdottir made perhaps her best save on the season, laying out to prevent what would have been a game winning goal by Courtney Miles.
 
Jessica Carrieri scored the game winning goal in the 101^st minute of action after weaving her way through the Tribe's defense to finish off a perfectly placed pass from Carson Jones. The goal gave Carrieri a team-leading sixth on the season and gave Jones her second assist.
 
Katrin Hauksdottir picked up her seventh win in goal for the Phoenix, making five saves on the evening. 

UP NEXT
Elon continues conference play against Drexel on Sunday, Oct. 6. That match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at Rudd Field.