Girls Soccer: Potomac Falls Keeper Kate Murphy Commits to Play at NCAA Division I Elon

(Jan. 28, 2011) - Potomac Falls High School senior keeper Kate Murphy has committed to play next year at NCAA Division I Elon.

Murphy has been the starting keeper for the Panthers since her freshman year. She expects to officially sign on Feb. 2. Since 2008 Murphy has played for the Loudoun 91Red coached by Randy May. A 4.09 student, Murphy will be attending Elon on academic as well as athletic scholarships.

Last spring Elon advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Conference tournament and closed the books on a successful 2010 season as the Phoenix finished the year with a 12-8-1 mark, including a 6-5 record in league play, marking the first time the team has won 12 games and finished with a winning record in league play in back-to-back seasons since joining NCAA Division I.

Elon’s 12 wins set the school record for victories over NCAA Division I opponents, while the program’s RPI of 131 out of 322 teams has risen over 100 spots over the past three seasons under head coach Chris Neal. Neal also led Elon to its first-ever win at Samford earlier this season, marking the first time Samford has lost a conference game at home since joining the league in 2008.