Elon, N.C. – An upset-minded Elon women's soccer team opened the scoring, but No. 17 NC State broke a tie with a goal in the 78^th minute to defeat the Phoenix 2-1 Thursday night at a raucous Rudd Field. NC State improved to 4-0-1 with the win as Elon fell to 1-2-1.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• NC State earned the first legitimate opportunity of the match, drawing a penalty in the box. But Lulu Guttenberger's strike sailed high and rung off the crossbar just 157 seconds into the match.
• Elon then stunned No. 17 NC State by taking the lead in the 13^th minute. Jessica Carrieri carried the ball up the left side into the penalty area and found Bethany Harford just inside the goal box, one-touching a pass right back to Carrieri. Carrieri's low screamer found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
• NC State answered to tie the match late in the first half off a set piece. The Wolfpack scored on a Lulu Guttenberger corner kick that was finished by Jaiden Thomas.
• The match remained tied through most of the second half until NC State again scored on a corner kick. Guttenberger's service was put home by Jenna Butler for the game-winner at 77:02.
• Elon did get a couple of opportunities in the final 13 minutes of play but the Phoenix were unable to get the equalizer.

 
STATS AND NOTES

• No. 17 NC State trailed for the first time this year when Elon scored early in the contest.
• NC State outshot Elon 23-8, including 13-3 in the first half and 10-5 in the second.
• Shots on goal were much closer as NC State led 4-2. Elon goalie McKenna Dalfonso had a pair of magnificent saves.
• Jessica Carrieri led Elon with two shots in the contest.
• Carrieri's goal marked her first points of the year. Harford's assist gave her three points on the season along with her goal in the season-opening win over American.
• The one-goal defeat marks the second consecutive season in which Elon lost to NC State by just one score. In 2021, NC State posted a 1-0 victory.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon closes out its five-match homestand to start the season by hosting UNC Asheville Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
• The Bulldogs will enter that contest with a record of 2-2-1 on the season, having scored 14 goals in five matches.