Abbey Lipcsik

Women's Soccer 8/17/2022 1:27:00 PM

Women's Soccer Kicks Off Regular Season Thursday At Home Vs. American

Elon, N.C. - The Elon University women's soccer team will kick off its 2022 campaign on Thursday against American at Rudd Field. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.

COVERAGE

Live stats and video will be provided for both matches.

SERIES HISTORY VS. AMERICAN

Elon leads the all-time series with American, 1-0.
The Phoenix defeated the Eagles 1-0 on Sept. 12, 2021, in Washington D.C. Sarah Bevington scored the only goal on an assist from Abby Fusca.

PHOENIX FACTS

Elon went 9-6-2 (4-3-2 CAA) last season, finishing fifth in the CAA.
The Phoenix is coming off an undefeated preseason, highlighted by a 2-0 win at USC Upstate and a 3-0 win against Davidson.
Elon returns 17 players from last year's roster, including three who started all 17 games in goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso, defender Katie Lowe and defender/midfielder Beky Myers. Midfielder Abby Fusca also started all 16 matches she appeared in.
The Phoenix returns 65 percent of its assists (13-of-20) and all of its saves (63) from last season. It will be looking to replace 66.7 percent (14-of-21) of its goals, including its top scorer in Carson Jones (six goals).
Elon welcomes five first-years in Ashlee Brehio, Rachel Buckle, Isa Murdock, Amy Ollendorff and Phoebe Rosenthal.
The Phoenix is led by fifth-year head coach Neil Payne.

PRESEASON CAA POLL & ALL-CAA TEAM

Elon was picked to finish sixth in the 2022 CAA Preseason Poll. UNCW was selected as the conference's preseason favorite, collecting seven of 12 first-place votes.
Midfielder Abby Fusca and defender Katie Lowe earned preseason honorable mention All-CAA honors.
Fusca started all 16 matches she appeared in last season and finished fifth on the team in total points and tied for the team-lead in assists with three. The Vienna, Va., native was second on the squad in shots on goal and manned 1,469 minutes on the pitch – third most among Elon returners.
Lowe tied Fusca in the team lead in assists with three and started all 17 games on the backline for the Phoenix last fall. The Charlotte, N.C., native played 1,546 minutes last year, the most among returning position players. Lowe also received preseason honorable mention All-CAA recognition last season.

GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Elon has won nine consecutive season openers, dating back to a 2-0 win at Coastal Carolina on Aug. 23, 2013.
The streak was preceded by a pair of draws against VCU and Cincinnati to begin the 2011 and 2012 campaigns, respectively.
The Phoenix's last season-opening defeat came on Aug. 20, 2010, when it lost 2-1 against Virginia Tech.

SCOUTING AMERICAN

The Eagles went 5-9-2 last season, finishing ninth in the Patriot League.
American was picked to finish ninth again in the 2022 Patriot League Preseason Poll.
Defender Asia Horne represented the Eagles on the Patriot League preseason All-League team.
Midfielder Brooke Steel totaled nine points (four goals and one assist) last season, the most among American returners.
The Eagles are led by third-year head coach Marsha Harper.

UP NEXT

Elon will continue its season-opening five-game homestand against Howard at 2 p.m. Sunday at Rudd Field.

-- ELON --

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Players Mentioned

#10 Sarah Bevington: MF; 6' 0"; Junior; Real Colorado Soccer Club

#21 Carson Jones: MF/F; 5' 5"; Senior; Lake Norman 98 Eclipse

#2 McKenna Dalfonso: GK; 5' 8"; Junior; Cedar Stars (Girl's Academy)

#17 Abby Fusca: D/MF; 5' 5"; Senior; VYS Phoenix

#9 Katie Lowe: D; 5' 9"; Junior; CSA (ECNL)

#26 Beky Myers: D/MF; 5' 8"; Senior; McLean (ECNL)

#4 Ashlee Brehio: F; 5' 2"; Freshman; Seacoast United (Girl's Academy)

#10 Rachel Buckle: MF; 5' 4"; Freshman; FC Dallas (ECNL)

#7 Isa Murdock: F; 5' 8"; Freshman; Real Colorado SC (ECNL)

#29 Amy Ollendorff: F; 5' 9"; Freshman; AMSG Elite (Girl's Academy)

Players Mentioned

#10 Sarah Bevington
: 6' 0"; Junior; Real Colorado Soccer Club
: MF

#21 Carson Jones
: 5' 5"; Senior; Lake Norman 98 Eclipse
: MF/F

#2 McKenna Dalfonso
: 5' 8"; Junior; Cedar Stars (Girl's Academy)
: GK

#17 Abby Fusca
: 5' 5"; Senior; VYS Phoenix
: D/MF

#9 Katie Lowe
: 5' 9"; Junior; CSA (ECNL)
: D

#26 Beky Myers
: 5' 8"; Senior; McLean (ECNL)
: D/MF

#4 Ashlee Brehio
: 5' 2"; Freshman; Seacoast United (Girl's Academy)
: F

#10 Rachel Buckle
: 5' 4"; Freshman; FC Dallas (ECNL)
: MF

#7 Isa Murdock
: 5' 8"; Freshman; Real Colorado SC (ECNL)
: F

#29 Amy Ollendorff
: 5' 9"; Freshman; AMSG Elite (Girl's Academy)
: F