BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Iyiola Awosika (London, England / Aylesbury Grammar) netted three of Radford's five second-half goals as the Highlanders cruised by Elon, 5-1, in their 2011 home opener Saturday evening at Cupp Stadium.
 
In addition to his first career hat trick, Awosika moved into ninth on Radford's all-time list for career goals with 25.
 
With the win, the Highlanders extended their home-unbeaten streak to seven straight, while recording their third five-goal effort at Cupp in the last four games.
 
Trailing 1-0 at the break, Radford (4-3-0) exploded for three goals in the opening two minutes and 47 seconds of the second half to put the game out of reach.
 
Awosika provided the equalizer and eventual game-winner with a pair of strikes in the 47^th minute. The 2010 all-conference performer tied the score, 1-1, on a penalty kick, which was awarded due to a handball in the box.
 
The senior put his club up for good just 17 seconds later when he beat two Elon (2-5-1) defenders down the right side and ripped a low shot far post past a diving Nathan Dean.
 
Less than a minute after Awosika's difference makers, Brian Gwanzura (Harare, Zimbabwe / Harare), played a short throw-in back to Anthony Payne (Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park), who found a cutting Carter Mills (Culpeper, Va. / Culpeper County) for his second score of 2011.
 
Gwanzura, who recorded a hat trick of his own earlier this season, extended the Highlanders' lead to 4-1 with a 66^th minute header off an Awosika cross from the left side.
 
With just 12 seconds remaining, Awosika netted his team-leading sixth goal of the season with his third penalty kick in the last two contests.
 
In the 19^th minute, Jason Waterman gave the Phoenix the early 1-0 lead on their first shot of the contest. Waterman's first goal of the season came off a lofted pass over the Highlander defense from Jahan Threeths.
 
Radford's Ryan Taylor (Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian) led both goalkeepers with a game-high six saves, while Dean stopped just two for the Phoenix.
 
The Highlanders finished with a 19-10 advantage in shots. Elon held a 6-4 edge in corners.
 
Radford will open conference play Wednesday evening with a 7 p.m. tilt at Campbell.