WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Graduate student forward
Audrey Harding scored the game-winning goal with just 49 seconds remaining in regulation as UNCW ran its unbeaten streak to six games with a 2-1 victory over Elon in the Colonial Athletic Association women's soccer opener for both teams at the UNCW Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who won for the fifth time in the last six games, upped their record to 5-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the CAA. Elon, the defending league champion, dropped to 5-4-0 overall and 0-1-0 against league foes.
Harding, who posted her second two-goal game of the season, gave UNCW the one-goal victory when she headed in a crossing pass from sophomore midfielder
Madison Henry past freshman goalkeeper
McKenna Dalfonso.
UNCW opened the scoring in the 64th minute as junior forward
Jordan Faveri attempted a shot that hit the crossbar, but Harding was able to collect the rebound and slip a shot into the left side of the goal.
But, Elon answered with 6:16 remaining as junior defender
Kayla Hodges collected a loose ball into the penalty area and beat freshman goalkeeper
Kaylie Bierman with a low shot for her third goal of the year.
Bierman tallied six saves in the victory for UNCW, which was outshot by a 12-9 margin.
Dalfonso posted one save for Elon in the loss, which halted the Phoenix's three-game win streak.
UNCW returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 3, when the Seahawks visit Northeastern in CAA action. Elon embarks on a three-game homestand next Sunday with a conference clash against Delaware.
