Elon, N.C. -- Radford's women's soccer team opened up Big South Conference play on a positive note, downing Elon, 2-1 at Rudd Field. With their fourth consecutive win, all coming on the road, the Highlanders improve to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the BSC. Elon falls to 1-5, 0-1. It also marked the first win for RU over the Phoenix in four tries.

Radford would score early in both halves and hold on late to secure the win. In the first half, sophomore Nikki Porter (Maryville, Tenn.) would net her team-leading fifth goal just 2:30 into the game, giving RU the 1-0 advantage. Senior Kelly Bertwell (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and junior Rebecca Hoffman (Woodbridge, Va.) assisted on the goal.

Bertwell made it 2-0 when she converted a penalty kick at 48:58. Elon would make things interesting when Kelly Williams, off a feed from Jessica Mills, cut the lead in half at 70:22.

The Phoenix would outshoot the Highlanders, 19-13 and had the advantage in corners, 9-2. Samantha Woods (Boones Mill, Va.) had a strong game in net, making six saves, while Elon's Kara Zagol stopped five.

Radford won't take to the field until Sept. 28 when they travel to Charleston Southern for another conference match-up at 1 p.m. The Highlanders return home for the first time in almost a month when they host Coastal Carolina on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.

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