ELON, N.C. --- The Lady Mocs fell 5-1 to Elon Friday night in Southern Conference women's soccer action at Rhodes Stadium in Elon, N.C. The loss drops the Lady Mocs to 6-5-1 overall and 1-5-1 in league play. The Phoenix improve to 10-3-2 on the year and 5-1-1 against SoCon opponents.
The Lady Mocs had to play without No. 2 scorer Donna-Kay Henry who had to sit the game out after receiving two yellow cards in the last game.
"I was wondering when this game was coming with so many young players," UTC Head Coach J.D. Kyzer said. "We never started the first half. Having to play without D.K. was a huge loss for this young team. However, I am proud of our second half play.
"We played with heart and pride. Being down 4-0 at the half against one of the top teams in the conference, we did well to hold them to just one score in the second half and score on them as well."
Elon's leading scorer Molly Calpin struck early netting the first of her game-high two goals in the eighth minute. Following a corner kick, Elizabeth Palmer picked up the deflection off the post and Calpin picked the ball up from her from four yards out and sent it into the middle of the net for the initial score.
It would only take Calpin a little more than nine minutes to net what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Calpin took a pass from Brittany Hallberg on a cross from the right side for her second goal of the game at the 16:54 mark of the first half.
Palmer would connect with Alanna Winsper at the 20:41 mark of the game for her second assist. She served the ball to Winsper from the top of the 18-yard box who headed it through to put the Phoenix up 3-0.
Chattanooga keeper Sydney Dewberry (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) substituted in for just her second appearance on the year and would stay in goal for the remainder of the game.
Elon connected on a fourth goal before the end of the period when Scarlett Fakhar sent a free kick from inside the box through the net for the score. Palmer was credited with her third assist of the game.
After getting off just two shots in the first half, the Lady Mocs' offense picked up some steam with seven shots and one goal. Freshman Becca Smith (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) netted her league-high 10th goal of the year on an assist from Kelsey Swann (Hixson, Tenn.) in the 61st minute. Swann sent a long pass from the middle of the field and Smith picked it up and sent it to the far post for the score.
Elon added a fifth goal to the score on a goal from Laura Norwind. Elon's corner kick was tapped around inside the box before Norwind touched it in from five yards out.
Elon outshot the Lady Mocs 23-9. Chattanooga got off just two shots in the first half. Smith led UTC with four shots with three on goal and Hayley Sloan (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) sent two toward the goal. Arielle Lankford (Harriman, Tenn.), Heather Trumbo (Nashville, Tenn.) and Tina Odembo (Shelby, N.C.) each took one shot.
The Lady Mocs will remain in North Carolina for a Sunday afternoon conference match at UNC Greensboro. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available at GoMocs.com and video streaming will be available for subscription.
