The Phoenix women's soccer sophomore forward leads the league in goals and is tied for the most points in the Southern Conference.
The Southern Conference announced its 2013 women’s soccer postseason awards on Nov. 5, and Elon University sophomore forward Nicole Dennion was named the SoCon Player of the Year, in addition to being a first-team all-league selection. A total of five Phoenix women’s soccer players garnered all-conference honors, including Dennion, Olivia Mackey (first team), Chelsey Stark (second team), Kimmie Krauss (second team) and Erin Tanhauser (All-Freshman team).
A native of Ewing, N.J., Dennion leads the SoCon in goals (15) and is tied with Furman’s Stephanie DeVita for the league lead in points with 35. The SoCon Player of the Month in September, Dennion enters Friday’s semifinals match against Wofford with four game-winning goals this season and three multi-goal games. Dennion completed a hat trick on Oct. 25 against Chattanooga to lead the Phoenix to a 3-0 win. Last Sunday against Davidson in the quarterfinals of the SoCon Tournament, Dennion scored two late goals to propel Elon to a 3-1 decision over the Wildcats. Dennion has also recorded five assists this season. Her 15 goals this season are the most in a single season in Elon’s Division I era and are tied for eighth all-time in a single season with Chris Greenspan and Tara Houston. Her 35 points so far this season are tied for the 10th most in a single season in program history.
A senior defender, Mackey also earned first-team All-SoCon honors. The Leesburg, Va., native has started 19 matches for the maroon and gold on defense this season, tallying two goals and a team-high eight assists (second in SoCon). Mackey scored the game winning goal in a 3-2 win at Georgia Southern on Oct. 18 and helped Elon knock off first-place Furman on Oct. 13 with a goal in a 4-3 win.
A senior midfielder, Stark earned second-team All-SoCon honors for the Phoenix. The Chapel Hill, N.C., native has started all 20 of Elon’s matches heading into Friday’s game against Wofford, scoring three goals and adding three assists this season. Stark tallied a goal and an assist on Sept. 26 against Western Carolina to help the Phoenix claim a 3-1 win over the Catamounts.
A senior defender, Krauss was also named to the All-SoCon second team for the Phoenix. The Sewell, N.J., native has started all 20 matches for Elon heading into Friday’s match against Wofford. Krauss has tallied seven assists this season, which is good for second on the team and tied for the third most in the SoCon.
A freshman defender, Tanhauser was named to the league’s All-Freshman team as well. A Wake Forest, N.C., native, Tanhauser has started all 20 games for Elon this season and has helped the maroon and gold to a total of six shutouts.