ELON, N.C.— Elon University women's soccer registered its first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) win on Oct. 7 as Makenzie DePriest-Kessler scored the game-winning goal that lifted the Phoenix over Charleston (2-1). The goal was also the first of her career.

"We knew it was going to be a game of transition," said head coach Neil Payne. "And because of that, we knew we would get some moments in the game where we would be through on goal, so it was important to be efficient and focused in those moments. I give credit to Makenzie. She scored a great goal."
 
THE RUNDOWN
-The Cougars nearly found the back of the net early on in the 12^th minute of play when Charleston's Grace Powell took shot on target that made it past McKenna Dalfonso. However, the goal was waived off due to a foul being called.
-In the final seconds of the first half, Sarah Bevington scored the first goal of the night off of a penalty kick to give the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage heading into intermission. The goal was her third of the season, tying her single-season best that was set during her 2019 campaign.
 
-Less than three minutes into the second stanza, the Cougars erased the Phoenix lead with a goal to the bottom right corner of the net.  
-After seven additional shots by Charleston, DePriest-Kessler fired a shot to the top of the net to give the lead back to the Phoenix.
 
-With less than a minute remaining in the match, the Cougars made one final attempt to even the score and send the game into overtime. With 33 seconds on the clock, Charleston once again took a shot that made it past Dalfonso. But the Cougars were called offside as the match ended with a 2-1 win for the Phoenix.

NOTES
-Tonight's win marks the third in a row against the Cougars, improving the all-time record to 9-10-2.
-Molly Mahoney paced the team in shots (3), followed by Lily Harkes and Bevington with two apiece. Bevington also led the Phoenix in shots on goal with two.
-In goal, Dalfonso (6-4-1) totaled five saves on the night. She has now totaled at least five saves in back-to-back matches.  
-After tonight's game, Elon stands at 6-4-1 (1-1-1 CAA) on the season, while Charleston falls to 1-9-2 (0-3-0 CAA).
 
UP NEXT
Elon will host Towson on Senior Day at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10.