ELON, N.C.— The Elon University women's soccer team had a strong start to its fall 2021 season as it shut out George Washington at Rudd Field on Aug. 19, 2-0.
 
"It's always pleasing that you get a win in the first game of the season," said head coach Neil Payne. "It validates the preparation, not just in preseason, but over the summer. I'm proud of the players for that. We worked really hard in preseason and a lot of that hard work came together tonight."
 
THE RUNDOWN
-Molly Mahoney got the Phoenix on the board in the 39^th minute when she found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal.
-Elon doubled its lead in the 55^th minute when Kayla Hodges scored the final goal of the night to give the Phoenix its two-goal victory.  

NOTES
-Elon outshot George Washington 21-5.  
-Kennedy Jones paced the maroon and gold in shots on goal (2), followed by Makenzie DePriest-Kessler, Isabelle Paradoski, Hodges, Abby Fusca, Jasmine Bryant and Mahoney with one apiece.
-In goal, McKenna Dalfonso (1-0) registered two goals on the night.
-The Phoenix has now won eight consecutive season openers.
-With the win, Elon improves to 1-0 on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The maroon and gold returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 22 when it hosts UNCG at 7 p.m.