ELON, N.C. — Fresh off its highest-scoring effort in almost three years, the Elon women's soccer team (2-2-1) hits the road for the first time this season Thursday, when it visits Gardner-Webb. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
COVERAGE 

• Live stats can be found here.
• The match can be streamed on ESPN+.

SERIES HISTORY VS. GARDNER-WEBB

• Elon is 14-0 all-time against Gardner-Webb.
• The Phoenix have outscored the Runnin' Bulldogs 44-6 in the series, with a quarter of its goals coming in the first meeting between the two schools — an 11-0 Elon win on Oct. 6, 1990. The 11 goals are the most Elon has ever scored in a match.
• The Phoenix's eight shutouts against Gardner-Webb are tied for its fourth most against any opponent. Elon has also posted eight against Coastal Carolina.
• The Phoenix beat the Runnin' Bulldogs, 2-0, in last year's meeting at Rudd Field. Lily Harkes and Lydia Totten each scored as Elon outshot Gardner-Webb 33-3.

LAST TIME OUT 

• The Phoenix is coming off a 4-0 win over UNC Asheville on Sunday at Rudd Field.
• Elon's four goals marked its most since scoring eight against Hampton on Sept. 15, 2019.
• Ashlee Brehio scored her first career goal, becoming the third Phoenix freshman — along with Rachel Buckle and Isa Murdock — to notch a goal this season.
• Abby Fusca and Molly Mahoney each scored their second goals of the season, becoming the first Elon players to score multiple goals this year. The two seniors are also tied for the team lead in points with five.

ON THE ATTACK 

• The Phoenix was tied for 43rd nationally in goals per game (2.40) and 52nd in total goals (12) through Tuesday's games.
• Elon's 12 goals are its most through five matches since opening the 2017 season with 12.
• Eight players (Ashlee Brehio, Rachel Buckle, Jessica Carrieri, Abby Fusca, Bethany Harford, Kennedy Jones, Molly Mahoney and Isa Murdock) have scored, with Fusca and Mahoney being the only two who have scored twice. The Phoenix has also benefitted from two own goals.
• Elon entered the year looking to replace 66.7 percent (14-of-21) of its goals from last season, including its top scorer in Carson Jones (six goals).
• The Phoenix didn't score its 12th goal until its ninth match last season.

DOMINANT DALFONSO 

• McKenna Dalfonso registered her 14th career shutout in Elon's win over UNC Asheville, moving her into a tie with Kate Murphy (2011-14) and Lauren Ounjian (1988-90) for the fifth most in school history.
• Dalfonso's 1.11 career goals against average is the fifth best in Phoenix history (min. 25 games).
• Dalfonso has logged 2,925 career minutes, the eighth most by an Elon goalkeeper since the statistic started being tracked in 1988.

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.

SCOUTING GARDNER-WEBB 

• Gardner-Webb is 3-2-1 with wins over Alabama State, The Citadel and Jacksonville State; losses to Davidson and Wofford; and a tie against ETSU.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs were picked to finish fifth in the Big South Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Gardner-Webb went 8-12 last season, finishing sixth in the Big South.
• Maddie Turlington leads the Runnin' Bulldogs in goals (four), points (10) and shots (21).

UP NEXT 

• Elon will return to Rudd Field on Sunday to face Longwood at 7 p.m.
• The match will serve as Senior Night for the Phoenix, which will honor six seniors (Katrin Hauksdottir, Bethany Harford, Molly Mahoney, Jessica Carrieri, Ally Madigan and Beky Myers) in a ceremony 15 minutes before kickoff.