Averett University Athletics

Mathilda Hansson Eljas was a standout on the Averett women's soccer team from 2011-13.

Eljas was a USA South All-Conference First Team performer in 2012 and 2013 after making the Third Team as a freshman in 2011. She also was selected to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Second Team in 2012 and 2013 and the USA South All-Tournament Team in 2012. Eljas arguably scored one of the biggest goals in program history when her shot in overtime lifted Averett to its first USA South Conference Tournament championship in 2012, which gave the Cougars their first NCAA Tournament berth. She started 55 of the 56 games she appeared in over three seasons and finished with 49 career points, 18 career goals and 13 career assists — all of which rank among the top 10 in each category at the time of her induction. She also totaled five game-winning goals and shares the program single-game record for most assists with three against Maryville College in 2013.

A native of Uddevalla, Sweden, Eljas also earned USA South Academic All-Conference honors in each of her three years at Averett.

Eljas was inducted into the Averett Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 2, 2021.