BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Elon traveled to Gardner-Webb on Thursday night for a women's soccer matchup and defeated the Runnin' Bulldogs 2-0. The Phoenix tallied both scores off opportunities in the second half.
 
"Elon is a strong opponent, and we schedule tough opponents to prepare for conference play," said Head Coach Mike Varga. "They exposed some areas that we need to work as well as some we do well as we prepare for our conference opener in less than two weeks."
 
In the first half, GWU's freshman goalkeeper Chloe Leffler collected seven saves to keep Elon off the board in the first 45 minutes. The 'Dogs put two shots on goal during the opening 20 minutes, one by Maddie Turlington and the other by Livi Tanzer with both being saved by McKenna Dalfonso.
 
After having their first nine shots on goal saved, Rachel Buckle had the assist on the decisive goal by Ashlee Brehio in the 60^th minute. The second was tallied by Isa Murdock off a pass from Abby Fusca in the 71^st minute.
 
In total, Leffler finished the game with career-highs in saves (11) and shots faced (20), her third complete game of the season. "She made some big saves and kept us in the game today," said Varga
 
On Sunday, Gardner-Webb will play their fourth of a seven-game home stretch welcoming Charlotte with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.