Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. — Freshman Ashlee Brehio scored the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute as the Elon women's soccer team wrapped up nonconference play with a thrilling 2-1 win over UNCG on Friday. The victory marked the Phoenix's second ever over its Triad rival.
 
With the win, Elon improved to 4-2-2. The Spartans fell to 3-4-1.
 
"We've got a ton of respect for UNCG and the job that Michael (Coll has) done here," said Elon head coach Neil Payne. "So, it's really important that we turn the corner (against them), and I felt like we've made a massive step. We'll be disappointed in the goal that we gave up, but I'm equally pleased about the commitment and desire to go and get a goal. I felt like we really were resilient defensively and we bent at times, but we didn't break. That's really important for us. And because of that, it was a massive win."

THE RUNDOWN

• Both teams produced multiple chances early, but it wasn't until the 26th minute that either found the back of the net, as UNCG's Maddy Gilhool scored a breakaway goal to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
• Elon ultimately answered with a goal of its own in the 39th minute, courtesy of Abby Fusca. After dribbling down the sideline, the fifth-year senior tried to feed the ball into the box, but her cross was deflected. Not to be deterred, she quickly pounced on it and then floated a shot over the goalkeeper for the game-tying score.
• The Spartans outshot the Phoenix 6-0 over the first 39 minutes of the second half. None was more threatening than in the 77th minute, when Ava Kiss ripped a shot off from point-blank range that the Elon defense blocked.
• Finally, in the 85th minute, Brehio tallied the Phoenix's first second-half shot when she jumped on a loose ball in the box. The freshman made the most of it, slotting it into the lower-right corner of the goal for the go-ahead score. Emilia Cappellett and Isa Murdock each picked up assists on the play.

NOTES

• Elon's win marked its second in 26 matches against UNCG. The Phoenix's only other victory — a 1-0 win on Oct. 26, 2011— also came at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
• Brehio and Fusca each scored their third goals of the season, putting them in a two-way tie for the team lead. Fusca also leads Elon in points with eight.
• Cappellett's assist marked the first of her career. Murdock's was her second in as many matches.
• The Phoenix's 17 goals are its most through eight matches since opening the 2019 season with 21. That stretch included an eight-goal effort against Hampton.

UP NEXT

• Elon will open CAA play against Northeastern next Thursday, Sept. 22, at Rudd Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.