HIGH POINT, N.C. – Freshman
Ceci Jensen knocked home her first career goal to help lead the Elon women’s
soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the host High Point Panthers in the HPU
Invitational at Vert Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win was Elon’s first of
the season as the Phoenix improved to 1-1-1. The Panthers dropped to 0-6 on the
year.
“Obviously getting this first win and the monkey off our back
will help us relax a bit going forward,” commented Elon head coach Chris Neal.
“This was a great team effort. We used a lot of bodies for our second game of
the weekend. A lot of people played a part in the win and did their jobs well.
Nevertheless, there is a lot to improve on as we prepare to face a great team
in Coastal Carolina on Wednesday.”
Elon had several opportunities to take the lead early in the
final period, playing most of the minutes in its attacking third of the field.
Midway through, Jensen put Elon on the board for the first time this season. The
rookie took the ball from midfield and dribbled through the defense to the top
of the box, rocketing a strike from 18 yards out to give the Phoenix a 1-0
advantage at the 66:53 mark. The goal proved the ultimate game-winner as the
Elon defense did its job for the remainder of the game to secure the shutout.
Defense was also the story of the first half, with neither
team able to get much pressure at the net. Elon did most of the attacking,
registering nine shots compared to only two by High Point. The Phoenix had
three consecutive corner kicks in the final minute of the half, but was unable
to capitalize.
For the game, the Phoenix held a 15-10 advantage in shots
and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. HPU goalie Marisa Abbott stopped eight shots on
the afternoon while Elon keeper Sydney Little cleared three attempts to earn
her second clean slate of the season. Playing its second contest in a three-day
span, Elon used 24 players in the victory.
Jensen, freshman defender Claire O’Keefe and sophomore defender
Andrea Keller were named to the all-tournament team.
The Phoenix will return home to challenge Coastal Carolina
on Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. at Rudd Field.
-- ELON --