• Freshman Mackenzie Mullins netted her first career goal, deflecting a shot off the Phoenix keeper.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Talia Klimes made her first career appearance, playing the entire second half in net
• The Panthers finish non-conference play on Sunday, Sep. 17 at home against Marshall at 1 p.m.
 
ELON, N.C. – The High Point University women's soccer team wrapped up the road portion of its non-conference slate with a 5-1 setback against Elon on Sunday night at Rudd Stadium. HPU saw 27 players participate in the match.
 
"I thought from 18' to 18' we were fantastic tonight," head coach Marty Beall said. "We had a very slow start to the game, which is disappointing. I thought we settled in, responded really well, and generated some good chances. Inside the 18' on both ends, we struggled. That's an area we have to get better in if we want to compete for a Big South regular season or tournament championship."
 
Elon (5-2-1) started off extremely fast, scoring 42 seconds into the match. A quick throw-in sprung Reena Wichmann down the left side. The Phoenix attacker worked her way into the box and went low right side past senior Alex Hank for the goal.
 
The Phoenix utilized a throw-in to add to their lead in the eighth minute. Grace Bennett received the pass and weaved her way through the Panther defense into the top of the box, where she fired high left side past an outstretched Hank to grow the lead to 2-0.
 
High Point's offense ruled the match in the final 20 minutes of the first half. A pair of flip throws from senior Becca Rolfe led to two dynamic chances for High Point (2-6-0), one that was saved off the foot of freshman Mackenzie Mullins, and another that was sent high by sophomore Alex Denny.
 
HPU started strong in the second half as well, with Rolfe's flip throw leading to a strong chance from senior Lindsay Elsen in the 49^th minute, who had her shot saved. A minute later, senior Michele Micciche's free kick from 25 yards away hit the crossbar.
 
Despite the solid possession, Elon was able to reclaim momentum and break through for goals in the 63^rd and 65^th minute to grow the lead to 4-0.
 
The Panthers were able to get on the board in the 85^th minute on a heads-up play from Mullins. A loose ball rolled to the freshman outside the box, where she fired on net and saw the ball deflect off the Elon keeper to get HPU on the board.
 
Elon regained its four-goal advantage on a deflection two minutes later to account for the final margin.
 
HPU ended up outshooting Elon 13-11, the first match this season in which the Panthers had the edge in shots. High Point also held an 8-7 advantage in on-target chances. Sophomore Talia Klimes saw her first action of her career in net for the Panthers in the second half. 
 
The Panthers will take a week off before wrapping up non-conference play at home against Marshall on Sunday, Sep. 17.  Kickoff at Vert Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
#GoHPU