ELON – Behind a pair of second-half goals, the Elon University women's soccer team (9-2-4, 3-2-2 CAA) won its third consecutive CAA match Sunday, defeating Towson (4-5-6, 2-3-3 CAA) on Senior Day at Rudd Field, 3-1.
Senior
Isa Murdock contributed to each of the first two goals, scoring the first on an assist from
Grace Gelhaus before returning the favor to assist Gelhaus on the second. Freshman
Miranda Dumornay netted her first career goal in the second half to add insurance to Elon's lead.
Elon has now won three consecutive conference matches and has earned 10 out of a possible 12 points in the last four CAA games. The Phoenix is now just two points behind College of Charleston for the third and final CAA South spot for the conference tournament.
Prior to the match, Elon celebrated its senior class of Murdock,
Ashlee Brehio,
Rachel Buckle,
Ava Hellner and
Amy Ollendorff.
How It Happened
- Brehio attempted the first shot of the match, missing just high on an attempt in the fifth minute.
- Elon converted for the first goal of the match in the 17th minute. After getting the ball on the left wing, Gelhaus made a run into the box before crossing the ball toward Murdock by the right post. Murdock leaped in the air to head the ball, bouncing it off the ground and past Towson's diving goalkeeper.
- Towson equalized the score just minutes later, as a strong individual effort and a high shot from Kale'a Perry led to a goal in the 21st minute.
- Brehio put another shot on target in the closing minutes of the first half, but the match remained tied at 1-1 entering the break.
- Murdock and Gelhaus reversed roles in the 55th minute, with Murdock springing Gelhaus down the left wing. After shaking off a defender, Gelhaus lifted a shot into the goal with her right foot to restore Elon's one-goal advantage.
- Towson attempted the next four shots after Elon's go-ahead goal, creating several dangerous scoring chances. However, the Phoenix's back line held strong to maintain its lead.
- Elon earned a corner opportunity in the 76th minute. Hellner sent the ball into the box, and after Megan Dwyer headed it, Dumornay knocked the ball out of the air by the far post and into the net for her first career tally.
- The Tigers continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes, attempting seven more shots after Dumornay scored. Elon weathered the storm to hold on for a two-goal victory.
Notes & Numbers
- Murdock delivered her second consecutive three-point outing with a goal and assist after also notching a goal and assist in Thursday's win over Drexel. It was her third three-point game of the season after also scoring three against South Carolina State on Sept. 10.
- Murdock now has six goals and six assists on the season, both of which lead the Phoenix.
- Gelhaus' goal was also her sixth of the campaign to match Murdock for the team lead. The junior defender has now scored in three consecutive matches and has the game-winning goal for the Phoenix in two of the last three games.
- With an assist on Murdock's goal to go along with her own tally, Gelhaus turned in her second three-plus point performance of the season after scoring four points against South Carolina State.
- Dumornay became Elon's 12th different goal scorer this season with the first of her career. The freshman played 65 minutes as a reserve, taking two shots.
- Hellner and Dwyer were credited with assists on Dumornay's goal. It was Dwyer's second consecutive match with an assist, as she has four points in the last two matches. It was Hellner's third helper of the season, all of which have come in the last four games.
- The Phoenix has scored multiple goals in three straight matches, all of which were victories. Elon outscored its opponents this week, 7-2.
- Towson outshot Elon, 13-8, but the Phoenix finished with a 6-3 edge in shots on goal. The Phoenix is now 5-2-4 this season when being outshot by its opponent.
- Brehio, Dumornay and Gabby Hoschek all attempted two shots to lead the Phoenix. Both of Hoschek's efforts were on goal.
- Ollendorff made her season debut, starting a match for the first time since Aug. 24, 2023, at Longwood. The senior forward saw 12 minutes of action.
- Gelhaus, Jordan Green, Jessica Hill and Alexis Pierce all logged the full 90 minutes for the Phoenix.
- Elon's current three-match winning streak is tied for its longest of the season.
- This was Elon's first victory against Towson since Oct. 13, 2019.
- The Phoenix will enter the final week of the regular season just two points behind College of Charleston for the final CAA Tournament spot from the South Division. Elon controls its own destiny to qualify.
Up Next
The Phoenix will face Hampton in its final road match of the regular season on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Stay Posted
For further coverage of Elon women's soccer, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonWSoccer), Instagram (elonwsoccer) and Facebook (Elon Women's Soccer).
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