Box Score Elon, N.C.- For the first time since 2021, the Elon Phoenix (1-3-2) dropped a CAA match at Rudd Field. For the second straight time, a home conference loss has come at the hands of the Towson Tigers (6-1-1).
 
Lydia Totten netted the first goal of her junior year in the first half which gave the Phoenix a 1-0 lead going into the half. The Phoenix would be struck again by more deflected goals in the second half, falling 2-1 to Towson.
 
The Phoenix will look to claim their first points in the 2023 season on Sunday as they take on Northeastern from Rudd Field. Towson now sits at the top of the conference table with seven points.
 
How It Happened
 

• The Phoenix and Tigers would trade a collection of corner kicks to begin the match with the first chance coming off the cleat of Nia Christopher in the sixth minute.
• Elon would register their first shot when a ball from Grace Gelhaus found the head of Jordan Green. The ball would fall just wide of the right post and the game would stay 0-0.
• Elon would find the back of the net in the 25^th minute off the foot of Lydia Totten. Gabby Hoschek found the junior in space and following a series of moves, Totten maneuvered the ball onto her left foot and found the bottom corner for the first Phoenix goal in the month of September.
• The Phoenix nearly made it 2-0 when the ball was slotted through to Lauren McCauley who was just bested by Riley Melendez in goal who made a great save at the near post.
• McKenna Dalfonso would continue to be a brick wall in goal for the Phoenix, stopping a trio of Towson shots on goal within the first ten minutes of the half including a save on Nia Christopher from point blank range.
• Towson would even the score in the 71^st minute when a shot form Phoebe Canoles on the right side of the box took a deflection that wrong footed Dalfonso and would tie the score.
• The Tigers would answer just four minutes later when a shot form Jasmine Hamid would ricochet off a Phoenix defender and find its way into the roof of the net to give Towson the lead.
• Lydia Totten found herself in space just a minute later in a one-on-one situation with Melendez on the break, but a fine stop from the Towson keeper kept the Towson lead intact.
• Towson would spend the rest of the match dominating procession with the last Phoenix chance coming from Kennedy Jones in the 81^st minute but found the arms of Melendez.  

 
Notes and Stats
 

• Elon now trails the all-time series with the Tigers, 3-6-1.
• Lydia Totten bagged her first goal of the season in the loss. The 25^th minute goal is the first for Totten since her freshman season when she scored three for the Phoenix.
• Elon surrendered a goal to CAA opposition at Rudd Field for the first time since the 2021 season. The Phoenix have now dropped three of their last four matchups to Towson with including two straight at Rudd Field.
• The Phoenix so far have given up nine goals in their first six games, it's the least number of goals through six games given up since 2019 when Elon only gave up five. Six of the nine goals given up have either resulted in an own goal or a deflection of an Elon player.
• Gabby Hoschek recorded her first career assist in the match, bringing her point total to seven.
• Rachel Buckle put together a fine performance in the midfield with Hoschek. Buckle would make plays both in central midfield and in a wingback role at times during the match.
• Kelly Degnan played a solid performance on the right wing, showcasing her exceptional workrates, and playing a season high 74 minutes.
• Morgan Juran, Grace Gelhaus and Hoschek all made their sixth start of the season. The trio of freshman have started every match so far this season, while Juran has averaged 80 minutes per contest. Hoschek and Gelhaus both played the full 90 minutes for the first time in their careers.
• McKenna Dalfonso made seven saves against the Tigers. This was the most saves for Dalfonso in a match since she made eight against William & Mary during the 2021 season.

 
Up Next
 

• The Phoenix will continue CAA play at Rudd Field this Sunday when Elon takes on the Northeastern Huskies. Kickoff will be at 1 P.M.