Sports

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SPORTS 11/21/24 11:51am

Elon University women’s basketball enters season with high expectations, healthy roster

By Miles Hayford

If the Elon women’s basketball team’s 9-21 and 11-21 records over the past two seasons taught them anything, it would be resiliency, according to head coach Charlotte Smith. It’s been a tough couple of years as the Phoenix only won eight home games over the last two seasons. Last season was marred by the season-long injuries of two of the team’s brightest stars: redshirt sophomore Raven Preston and redshirt junior Kamryn Doty. Smith said the absence of Doty and Preston taught the team some valuable things.

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SPORTS 11/21/24 9:42am

Elon University men’s basketball looks to win conference

By Miles Hayford

After three straight losing-record seasons and two years under the leadership of head coach Billy Taylor, the Elon University men’s basketball team is ready for a Coastal Athletic Association Championship. According to senior Sam Sherry, the current squad is finally poised to make a run. The first two years in the Billy Taylor era weren’t successful record-wise but successfully developed key players like Sherry and junior TK Simpkins. Last year, the Phoenix just fell short in the first round of the CAA Tournament, losing to Hampton by one.

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SPORTS 11/16/24 11:22pm

Elon University women’s basketball wins thrilling game against Kent State

By Miles Hayford

Elon’s women’s basketball team captured a thrilling 66-63 victory over Kent State University in a game defined by two halves — one full of mistakes and the other with an offensive explosion. Elon defeated Kent State inside Schar Center on Nov. 16 for its third home win of the season.  Elon moves to 3-1 with its first win over Kent State since 2005. The Phoenix has a tough game next as it plays Virginia Tech on the road at 2 p.m. Nov. 23.

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SPORTS 11/16/24 6:59pm

Balanced offensive attack leads Elon football to victory

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University’s football team defeated the University of Maine 31-25 in the team’s final home game of the season. With over 400 total yards, and three rushing touchdowns from senior transfer running Rushawn Baker and a resilient defense in the second half, Elon led for the entire game. Elon improves its record to 5-6 this season and 4-3 in conference play. The Phoenix play its final game against North Carolina A&T State University at 1 p.m. next Saturday, Nov. 23.

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SPORTS 11/10/24 5:36pm

Elon University men’s soccer falls to Hofstra in CAA semifinals

By Miles Hayford

2021, 2022 and now 2024: all Elon men’s soccer postseason losses to Hofstra. It seems the Phoenix has met its match as Elon lost to Hofstra in the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association Tournament semifinals 2-0 on Nov. 10. This is the second straight year Elon has lost in the semifinals. Elon trails Hofstra 1-11-1 all-time. Despite Hofstra’s 4th seed being the lowest seeding in the CAA Tournament since 2017, the Hofstra Pride upset the top-ranked Elon squad. It was a heartbreaker for an Elon squad who is still searching for their first ever CAA Championship.

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SPORTS 11/10/24 12:58pm

Elon University men’s basketball team commands home opener win

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University men’s basketball team defeated Bluefield 103-66 to win their first game of the season Nov. 9. It was a strong outing for the Phoenix, who lost 90-76 against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in a tough battle Nov. 4. Elon led wire-to-wire after the 12:28 mark in front of an energetic crowd for their first home game of the season. The victory gives Elon a 1-1 record. It is their sixth straight win at Schar Center to open the season. Elon will rest for six days before traveling to face Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. Nov. 15.

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SPORTS 11/8/24 10:21pm

Elon University women’s basketball defeats Gardner Webb despite poor shooting

By Miles Hayford

Elon University women’s basketball secured a closely fought 69-61 victory over Gardner Webb University despite a rough shooting night. Elon was coming off its season opener on Nov. 4 against High Point University where they got a thrilling 66-65 comeback victory and was looking to get a 2-0 start at Schar Center on Nov. 8. The first half was tightly contested, but both teams exhibited sloppy play, chock full of turnovers and missed shots. Both teams were under 40% from the field, and the Phoenix was even missing a number of free throws.

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SPORTS 11/5/24 8:37am

Elon University men’s basketball gives North Carolina scare but falls short in season opener

By Miles Hayford

Light shows, a roaring crowd and a swarm of Carolina blue: It all seemed too much for the Phoenix to handle. The Elon University men’s basketball team stayed strong despite the adversity, giving the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill a scare but lost its season opener 90-76. It was their 13th loss when starting the season away from home, but it was a promising performance against the 9th ranked team in the nation and a sign of a bright future for the program. Elon started the season with nine returning players and brought back 54% of its scoring from last season.

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SPORTS 11/4/24 10:30pm

Fourth quarter surge gives Elon University women’s basketball season opener win

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University women’s basketball team defeated High Point University 66-65 to win its first game of the season Nov. 4. It was a roller coaster game as a hot start turned into a 15-point deficit in the third quarter. However, hot fourth quarter shooting proved to be the difference in a thrilling opening night victory. The Phoenix went into the season hoping to improve on its 11-21 record last year and wasted no time getting ahead in the opening minutes. They jumped out to a 15-7 lead thanks to redshirt sophomore guard Raven Preston.

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SPORTS 11/3/24 4:13pm

Elon Athletics has mixed results with Ticketmaster partnership

By Miles Hayford

According to Elon Athletics, 1,119 students used Ticketmaster on Sept. 14 against Western Carolina, whereas the estimated total student attendance was 1,519. Similarly, 427 students used Ticketmaster to attend the Sept. 21 game against East Tennessee State University, but a total of 927 were estimated to attend. On Family Weekend against Richmond University, many students entered with their families and just showed their ID without claiming their ticket through Ticketmaster. The number was massively skewed with 2,114 total students attending. but only 536 using Ticketmaster.

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SPORTS 11/2/24 6:55pm

Elon University football dominates on 2024 Homecoming Weekend

By Miles Hayford

On Homecoming Weekend 2024, Elon University’s football team exploded for an offensive clinic. Elon beat Campbell University 50-27 thanks to the efforts of two career days. Senior Rushawn Baker had a career high with 154 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Redshirt senior Chandler Brayboy had a career day in his 309 all-purpose yards. Elon has struggled this year, having gone 3-6 and only finding their first home win of the season against Campbell, but much of it has been due to the team being handed the 17th hardest schedule in the FCS.

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SPORTS 11/1/24 3:18pm

Elon University women’s cross country ends streak of 5 consecutive CAA Championship wins

By Miles Hayford

After winning the last five Coastal Athletic Association Championships, the Elon University women’s cross country team has ended the streak, finishing third overall at the 2024 CAA Championship on Nov. 1. The men’s team improved from its sixth place finish last year, finishing fifth. The men’s 8k and women’s 6k races took place at the Elon Cross Country Course. The ending of the women’s streak comes amid the first season of head coach Mark Rinker after former coach Kevin Jermyn left for Duke University. Jones said the team wasn’t focused on continuing the streak, but rather performing as a team.

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SPORTS 10/27/24 4:23pm

Elon University wide receiver embraces switch from quarterback to wide receiver

By Benjamin Berfield

Redshirt sophomore Will Lankford didn’t anticipate a position change would occur before the 2024 season. Lankford had completed his redshirt freshman year for Elon University football as quarterback playing in six games. It wasn’t until preseason camp where he got asked about switching from quarterback to wide receiver. Offensive coordinator Drew Folmar said injuries at receiver and the lack of depth contributed to Lankford’s transition. He approached Lankford about the idea and said all Lankford cared about was whether it would benefit the Phoenix.

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SPORTS 10/26/24 11:56pm

Hat trick helps Elon University men’s soccer clinch playoff spot

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University men’s soccer team defeated Northeastern University 4-2 on Senior Night to win their eighth game of the season. After going scoreless  in the first half, the Phoenix responded in the second half with four goals. It was Elon’s first win since defeating William & Mary 2-1 on Oct. 5. The victory guarantees a fourth-straight trip to the playoffs for the Phoenix. They can clinch the CAA title for the regular season with a win against Campbell on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

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SPORTS 10/24/24 9:39pm

Elon University women’s soccer falls to Campbell despite outshooting them

By Miles Hayford

Despite coming into the game as the Coastal Athletic Association’s best with a chance to clinch the regular season title, the Elon women’s soccer team fell to Campbell University 1-0. Campbell upset the Phoenix thanks to resistant defense, even as Elon outshot them 18 to 5. In the end, Elon played an almost perfect game. Few teams could have found more offensive opportunities than Elon did tonight, and their defense held firm most of the game. It came down to the Camels’ rigid defense and one single moment where Campbell’s offense saw an opportunity and took it.

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SPORTS 10/24/24 10:57am

Price of play: Impact of injury on Elon University athletes

By Miles Hayford

Season-ending injuries are an unfortunate, but common staple of collegiate athletics. Around 210,000 college sports-related injuries occurred from 2009-14, according to a Centers of Disease Control and Prevention study. Within that number, almost 4,000 athletes each year experience a season-ending injury, according to a study published in the Journal of Amateur Sport. These injuries are more than just a number, though. Each one affects a student-athlete in a different way, each student-athlete grapples with the absence of sport differently and each recovery process is different.

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SPORTS 10/23/24 11:08pm

Elon University men’s soccer drops fourth straight loss amid tough schedule

By Miles Hayford

Despite a strong start to the season, Elon men’s soccer dropped its fourth straight loss after falling to the University of North Carolina, Charlotte 2-0. After 10 minutes had passed, redshirt junior Ryan Manna had the first shot of the game, but Charlotte’s stalwart goalie Leo Stritter — who has nine shutouts this season — blocked it. That’s where it began to get tough for the Phoenix to climb out of the deficit. Against Charlotte’s nationally ranked defense — the team is first in goals allowed per game with 0.5 — the Phoenix’s offense stalled.

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SPORTS 10/17/24 11:14pm

Timely goals, tough defense propels Elon University women’s soccer over Hofstra

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University women’s soccer team defeated Hofstra University 2-1 to win their 11th game of the season Oct. 17. With a late goal and tough second half defense, Elon managed to prevail in a tightly contested matchup against Hofstra. It was Elon’s first win after losing 0-3 to College of Charleston on Oct. 13. Both teams went scoreless until there were three minutes remaining in the first half when Hofstra freshman forward Hailey Moschitta tied the game at 1-1. Despite ranking sixth in saves, Elon ranks second in points allowed with 12, according to CAA Handbook Statistics.

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SPORTS 10/8/24 10:54pm

Elon University men’s soccer falls in juggernaut matchup against Duke

By Miles Hayford

In a battle between former top 25 team Elon University men’s soccer and the No. 9 ranked Duke University Blue Devils on Oct. 8, Duke prevailed 2-1. The first half witnessed a brutal tug-of-war between Duke and Elon, with each exchanging possession to capture the opening score of the night. The final 15 minutes of the game were chaotic and full of ruthless physicality. Controversial calls and no-calls were everywhere as coaches and fans on both sides yelled at the refs about fouls or fouls they think the refs should have called. But in the final minutes, calls didn’t go in Elon’s favor.

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SPORTS 10/7/24 8:41am

Elon football starting safeties evaluate productive start to season

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University football's duo of All-American safeties, Caleb Curtain and Khalil Baker, have burst onto the scene this year for the Phoenix. In five games, Curtain, a redshirt junior, and Baker, a redshirt senior, have combined for 65 total tackles and five pass deflections with Curtain notching one interception. Each of them are in the top three for tackles and pass deflections among Elon defenders. Even with a productive start, Baker said that they’re starting to coexist better as the season has gone on. This is their first season playing together, as Baker transferred from North Carolina Central University.

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