ELON, N.C. — The Elon University women's soccer team opened its 2022 season in emphatic fashion Thursday, posting a 3-0 shutout win over American at Rudd Field.
"I'm really proud of the team," said head coach
Neil Payne, who improved to 5-0 in season openers at Elon. "Obviously, it's always nice to get off to a winning start, but the manner in which we played the game was very pleasing. And it's always really nice to not concede a goal, especially in the first game."
Box Score
THE RUNDOWN
- Molly Mahoney got the Phoenix on the board in the fifth minute, when she deposited a through ball from Abby Fusca into the bottom right corner of the goal. It marked the second season in a row that Mahoney scored Elon's first goal.
- Kennedy Jones struck for the Phoenix's second goal in the 20th minute, beating the American goalkeeper one-on-one after receiving a cross from Mahoney.
- Elon wasted little time notching its third and final goal of the night, with Fusca drawing a foul in the 18-yard box just two minutes later and Bethany Harford converting the ensuing penalty kick.
NOTES
- Elon has won 10 consecutive season openers, dating back to a 2-0 win at Coastal Carolina on Aug. 23, 2013.
- The Phoenix has posted a shutout in four straight season openers.
- Elon's three goals marked its most since a 3-0 victory over UNC Asheville on Sept. 2, 2021. They were also the Phoenix's most goals in a season opener since a 5-4 overtime win at Liberty to begin the 2018 season.
- Elon's three first-half goals were its most in any half of a season opener since scoring four first-half goals at North Florida to begin the 2017 campaign.
- McKenna Dalfonso registered her 13th career shutout, moving her into sole possession for the seventh most in program history.
- Harford — who missed the entire 2021 season due to injury — played in her first match since April 10, 2021. Her goal was her first since March 21, 2021.
- Mahoney's team-high three shots matched her career high, set on four previous occasions.
- Junior defender Emilia Cappellett played all 90 minutes in her first career game. Fellow defender Olivia McManes — who played 26 total minutes in two games as a true freshman last season — also went the full 90.
- First-years Ashlee Brehio, Isa Murdock and Phoebe Rosenthal each saw action in their first career game. Brehio and Murdock both started.
- Both teams tallied nine shots, but American had only two on goal. Elon had six.
- The Eagles tallied 17 fouls, while the Phoenix committed 10.
UP NEXT
Elon returns to action on Sunday, when it hosts Howard at 2 p.m. at Rudd Field.
