Next Game:
UNCW
10/25/2026 | 1:00 PM
FloCollege
Oct. 25 (Sun) / 1:00 PM
UNCW
ELON, N.C. — William & Mary women’s soccer concluded its three-game road swing Sunday afternoon, falling to Elon, 2-0, in CAA action at Rudd Field.
The Tribe dropped to 4-7-3 overall and 3-3-1 in conference play, while the Phoenix improved to 8-3-4 and 3-2-2 in CAA action.
After a scoreless opening half, Elon broke through in the 75th minute on an own goal before Lauren McCauley added an insurance goal less than four minutes later to secure the victory.
William & Mary held a 12-8 advantage in shots during the first half, but Elon responded with a 12-2 edge over the final 45 minutes to finish with a 20-14 advantage. Both teams earned six corner kicks, while the Phoenix held a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal.
Freshman Kerys Palmer led the Tribe with three shots, including one on goal, while freshmen Ashley DeLeo and senior Ava Marvin added two attempts apiece.
Sophomore goalkeeper Gwen Doughty made her first start since Sept. 6 against VCU, playing all 90 minutes and recording a career-high eight saves.
With the loss, William & Mary sits third in the CAA South Division with 10 points, one point behind Elon and seven behind division-leading UNCW.
First Half
William & Mary generated its first scoring opportunity in the 11th minute when senior Paige Seitz put a shot on goal, but Elon goalkeeper Anica Carpenter made the save.
The Tribe continued applying pressure, earning consecutive corner kicks in the 22nd and 23rd minutes before DeLeo sent an attempt wide.
Freshman Ava Magnuson tested Carpenter in the 29th minute, but the Elon goalkeeper turned away the attempt to keep the game scoreless.
W&M followed with a stretch of offensive opportunities as Marvin recorded two shots in the 33rd and 34th minutes, while DeLeo added another attempt.
Sophomore Ellie Leffler put a shot on goal in the 35th minute, but Carpenter made her third save of the afternoon.
Elon responded with a stretch of offensive pressure late in the half. Doughty made five saves over the final 10 minutes, including back-to-back stops on Nicole Kleyner and Isa Murdock in the 36th and 37th minutes.
The Tribe generated three more shots in the closing minutes, including an attempt on goal from Palmer with six seconds remaining, but Carpenter made the save.
William & Mary entered halftime tied at 0-0 after outshooting Elon, 12-8, and holding a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Second Half
Elon opened the second half with increased offensive pressure, forcing Doughty into a save just six seconds after the restart on an attempt from McCauley.
The Phoenix continued generating opportunities, but Doughty kept the game scoreless with another save in the 56th minute, denying Kleyner.
William & Mary recorded its first shot of the second half in the 64th minute when senior Lindsay Wilson put an attempt on frame, but Carpenter made the save.
Palmer followed with an opportunity in the 69th minute, sending her shot wide as the Tribe continued searching for the opening goal.
Elon broke the scoreless tie at 74:59 when an own goal gave the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage.
Less than four minutes later, McCauley found the back of the net at 78:34 to extend Elon’s lead to 2-0.
The Phoenix maintained its advantage over the final 11 minutes, limiting the Tribe’s offensive opportunities to secure the shutout.
Elon outshot William & Mary, 12-2, in the second half and held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks during the final 45 minutes.
Up Next
William & Mary returns home Sunday, Oct. 25, to host CAA South Division leader UNCW at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., and the game will be streamed on FloCollege.
The game will also feature a soccer scarf giveaway for fans.