At season's end, the women's soccer team will have a void to fill.

There are only two seniors on the squad, but coach Chris Neal says the experience and leadership will be difficult to fill after the graduation of defender Andrea Keller and midfielder Noell McCain.

"They are the best human beings I've ever coached and they are great role models," Neal said. "They are very mature women and once they leave, there's going to be a void to fill."

Keller, a native of Richmond, Va., and McCain, a Burlington native, both started with the Phoenix four years ago as freshmen and as their careers at Elon end, they said they've valued their time on the field.

"Just being with the girls is great," McCain said. "It's definitely a family environment. Just having the chance to play on a Division I team is great."

In her freshman year, Keller, an exercise sports science major, played in 19 games, started in 12 as a sophomore and was named to the Southern Conference Academic All-Conference team. The following year, Keller scored the winning and sole goal in a victory against Samford and was named to the SoCon All-Conference team again.

McCain, an accounting major, has also had valuable time as a member of the soccer team. She started in 13 matches as a freshman and saw time in 12 matches, starting in one, her sophomore year. As a senior, Keller said she sees the Phoenix moving forward after her and McCain's departure.

"We've passed down hard work and discipline ethics and the girls can take away from that," Keller said. "We learned that you have to always pay attention and can't be absent even for a minute."

This attention gave the team its 2-0 win against High Point Sept. 16, according to Neal.

"It was the most disciplined and focused games of soccer we've played all year," he said.

While the rest of the women's team is still young, Neal credits the players' youth to the team's wins and overall positive attitude.

"The team's still young and that girl who scored both goals, Beth Houpt, is a freshman," he said. "Freshmen provide younger legs and a positive attitude on the field. Youth hasn't been an issue in our previous games."

Keller said she wants to continue playing soccer after graduation but is considering graduate school to pursue physical therapy. McCain said she's likely to get a job in the accounting field.

"I won't give up the game," Keller said.

To replace Keller and McCain, Neal said the team has already started recruiting players for next year.

"Recruiting never stops. We have five recruits who are verbally committed and they'll sign in February," he said.