Elon Club Sports Updates: October 9th-11th
Women’s Basketball and Softball Triumph in Weekend Games
Women’s Basketball
Elon vs. UNCW, 52-34 (Win)
In a three game tournament at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Elon Women’s Basketball had a strong start as they defeated UNCW in the first match-up of the day. Demonstrating a strong effort and maintaining a solid lead over the opposing team was key in securing the Elon win. Elon maintained team composure and executed many important plays, which forced UNCW to play zone and take away Elon’s strong man offenses. The strong Elon defense led to a 26-15 lead at halftime and also gave the girls enough confidence to put the score out of reach for UNCW. With eleven minutes left to play in the game, UNCW caused seven fouls, which allowed Elon to go eighteen for twenty-one from the free throw line. This impressive performance ultimately helped the lead and secured Elon’s 52-34 win over UNCW. Leading statistics for the game were Hannah McHugh with seventeen points, Raven Manigault with ten points, Jasmine Jackson with nine points, and Jenna Temple who shined with five points.
Elon vs. NCCU, 54-35 (Loss)
In the second game of the day, Elon Women’s Club Basketball played a hard fought match against opposing team NCCU. With an even score throughout the first half, Elon’s defense prevailed to allow a 20-17 lead at the end of the first half. However, slow progression up the court at the start of the second half allowed NCCU to score and take the lead. As the game became increasingly more physical, Elon suffered from fatigue, which unfortunately caused the team to only make ten out of twenty-one free throws. As a result of this, NCCU secured a 54-35 win over Elon Women’s Club Basketball. Leading statistics for Elon included Hannah McHugh with five points, Jasmine Jackson with nine points, and Michelle Pebole who also scored nine points.
Elon vs. Campbell University, 51-37 (Win)
In the final game of the day, Elon Women’s Club Basketball faced Campbell University in a hard fought but triumphant match. With both teams lacking intensity throughout the first half, Elon ultimately persevered to take the lead 24-15 at the end of the first half. With blatant fouls not being called, Elon grew frustrated yet also regained the team composure to continue to secure the lead at the team finished the second half. Elon went three for twelve from the free throw line and demonstrated a strong defense with twenty-three rebounds and seven steals. With a final score of 51-37, Elon Women’s Club Basketball was able to end the day in good spirits. Leading statistics included Jamie Feldman with nine points, Jasmine Jackson with nine points and one steal, Michelle Pebole with eight points and two rebounds, as well as Hannah McHugh who triumphed with seven points, one rebound, and two steals. The team will practice this week to prepare for the game against Wake Forest on October 24, 2009.
Softball
Elon vs. Wake Forest, 11-4 (Win)
Despite a low turnout of participants, Elon Club Softball played an enjoyable game against Wake Forest on Sunday, October 11, at Elon’s Firehouse Fields. With great pitching from starter Alanna Vagianos, Elon played strong in order to secure an 11-4 win over opposing Wake Forest. Elon’s strong offense and teamwork were greatly demonstrated, despite a few fielding errors that resulted in Wake Forest runners on base. Leading statistics included Alanna Vagianos who pitched an impressive one hit game. The girl’s were prepared to play a second game; however, Wake Forest forfeited causing Elon to secure two wins. The team will practice over the next few weeks to prepare for their Round Robin Tournament at Duke on November 7 and 8.
Women’s Soccer
Elon vs. Appalachian State University, 3-1 (Loss)
Despite only travelling with fourteen players and no goalkeeper, Elon Women’s Soccer demonstrated great fortitude as the team fought a hard match against Appalachian State University. Though down by two goals at halftime, Elon did not give up and continued to play strong. At the start of the second half, Elon began to increase the pressure against Appalachian State through a key goal by Mabry Williams, who scored outside the 18, right past a solid effort by the Appalachian State goalkeeper. Elon’s worthy and valiant effort however was not enough to uphold a win, as one more goal was surrendered by the Phoenix. With an admirable performance however by Bri and Gabby in goal, Elon reflected equally great skill through impressive give and go’s during the intense match-up. Elon Women’s Soccer will now practice over the next few weeks to prepare for their November 7 game against Campbell University at Elon’s South Campus fields.
Women’s Rugby
Elon vs. UNC Chapel Hill, 98-7 (Loss)
In a tough yet hard fought game against UNC Chapel Hill, Elon Women’s Rugby played an impressive performance with ten new players and only five returning players participating. Demonstrating admirable determination, Elon Women’s Rugby persevered against difficult odds and though they were not able to secure a win, the girls triumphed in terms of teamwork and resilience. Leading scorers for the game were Rhi Clark with one try and Laura Winkler with an extra point. Elon will practice hard over the next few weeks to prepare for their next game on October 31, 2009, against William and Mary.
Triathlon
In the Tour De Pig Bike Ride, Elon Club Triathlon participated with six club members as all proceeds from the event went to support the Mental Health Association in Davidson County. With riders having the choice of biking the twelve mile, eighteen mile, thirty-one mile, or sixty-two mile course, Elon demonstrated great spirits as all club members challenged themselves to ride the sixty-two mile course. Sticking together for the whole ride in two groups, Elon’s great teamwork helped make the course an enjoyable one. Though deciding to take the ride a bit easier than usual, many of the participants strength was challenged as many had never road over forty miles at one time. Club members Laura Brentrup showed strong spirit throughout the course and demonstrated gratitude to the other club members for their support throughout the race. The entire team finished safely and happily as they met many riders along the way who dressed up and supported the race by wearing pig apparel. At the end of the ride, the race participants enjoyed a Lexington Style BBQ lunch before heading back to Elon University to rest. Club Triathlon will prepare this week to compete in the Emerald Isle Triathlon in Emerald Isle, NC on October 17.
Baseball
Elon vs. Duke University, 9-8 (Loss)
In game one of a two day series against Duke University, Elon Club Baseball lost a heartbreaking game to the home team at Erwin Park in Durham, North Carolina. Elon junior Nolan Elingburg earned the start on the hill and struggled in the first inning by giving up four runs, in which two of them were earned. Elingburg was able to however, regain his composure and pitch a commanding seven solid innings. Elingburg was able to finish his day after pitching eight innings and only giving up six runs, four of which were earned, and striking out an impressive three batters. Elon stayed strong throughout the entire game and continued to fervently chip away at Duke’s early lead. Elon was able to score a run in the third inning, which inspired the team to score two more runs in the following inning. In the sixth inning, Elon tied the game 6-6 after junior second baseman Frank Hurd hit a sacrifice fly ball to score junior centerfielder Brett Annese. Elon took the lead in the 9th inning after a two run inning, which included a RBI from junior first baseman Jason Tessari and a sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder Chase Gottwald. In the end however, Elon was able not able to pull away with a win, causing the final score to be a Duke 9-8 win. Leading statistics for the game included Brett Annese who went four for five with 2 R, SB, 2 RBI and Jake Shoenfield who went three for four with 1 R, 1 RBI, and a sacrifice fly. Other standouts included Jason Tessari who went 2 for 4 with 2 R, 2 B, 1 RBI, and Sean Fitze who went 2 for 3 with 1 R, 2 B, and 1 RBI.
Elon vs. Duke University, 10-2 (Loss)
In game two of the series against Duke, Elon was able to put many players on base, yet the team struggled to generate key hits with runners in scoring position. In an eventual 10-2 loss against Duke, Elon fought hard despite the misleading score. Freshman left fielder Sean Fitze paced the offense with a single and three walks in four of his at plate appearances. Senior designated hitter Andy Sturm went 2 for 3 with a pair of walks and senior right fielder Kevin “Lunchbox” Monahan along with freshman catcher Chris Esser caused two of Elon’s runs with RBI singles in both the third and eighth innings. Sophomore Aaron Moger was the starting pitcher on the mound and threw five solid innings, which included only three earned runs and five strike-outs. Elon scored the teams first run in the third inning after freshman centerfielder Craig Jackson circled the bases after hits by Sturm and Monahan. The second run was achieved later in the top of the eighth inning as Sturm scored on a single by Esser. With fourteen men left on base which included two instances of the bases being loaded, Elon’s offense did not provide the effort needed to pull away with a win. Elon Club Baseball will practice over the next few weeks to prepare for a home series game against Wake Forest University on the weekend of November 7 and 8.
– Michael O’Brien
Club Sports Staff