West Long Branch, N.J. - The Elon Phoenix (1-6-3) played a tough, competitive, and rainy game against the Monmouth Hawks (5-3-1) Tuesday afternoon. The Phoenix was able to create three chances in the first half but could not find the back of the net.
 
The backline rotation of Rachel Buckle, Emilia Cappellett, Kerri Coffman, Olivia McManes, and Katie Lowe, all contributed greatly to the effort will all making their presence known on the backline. Grace Gelhaus attempted a shot on goal for the third straight match with a first half strike that nearly put the Phoenix up 1-0.
 
The Phoenix have now gotten a positive result in only one of their first five league games, the lowest total since Neil Payne's first season with the Phoenix back in 2018. All five sides the Phoenix have seen thus far are in the playoff hunt with Towson, William & Mary, and Monmouth finding themselves in the top four.
 
 
How It Happened
 

• The Phoenix had to make some early adjustments with the quick subs of Olivia McManes and Emilia Cappellett within the first eight minutes.
• The first shot on goal of the match would come from Monmouth's Lauren Bruno who fired an effort for the top left but was snuffed out by goalie McKenna Dalfonso.
• The teams would trade possession in the midfield throughout the first half with Monmouth controlling much of the game in their attacking half.
• Elon would come out firing after taking on pressure from the Hawks. The first shot on target for Elon would come from Gabby Hoschek in the 34^th minute. The Phoenix would have their best chance of the game just two minutes later when Gelhaus cut in on her left foot on the right side of the box and forced a great, glove save from Cassandra Coster.
• Following the corner kick, Elon would register another shot on goal from Kennedy Jones that would again be saved by the Monmouth keeper.
• Monmouth would start the second half with a number of shots, many were blocked by the Phoenix front line with Katie Lowe and Kerri Coffman stepping in front of a number of attempts.
• Jones would be booked in the 59^th minute following a tough challenge, but the spot kick would lead to nothing immediate from the Hawks.
• Monmouth would muster up a chance in the 69^th minute that would ultimately give them the victory. Freshman Loren Gehret would find the back of the net with her left foot shooting across goal to beat Dalfonso and give the match its only goal.
• Elon would finish the match with some opportunities to break through, but both the weather and Monmouth's backline proved to be too much near the end of the match and the Hawks would prevail by a 1-0 score line.

 
Notes and Stats
 

• The series between Elon and William & Mary now stands at a stalemate, 1-1.
• The two matchups have come with both members being a part of the CAA and ended in 1-0 victories to the home side.
• Both Gabby Hoschek and Morgan Juran both recorded 90 minutes. Rachel Buckle also featured for 90 minutes on the back line for the Phoenix.
• Grace Gelhaus registered a shot on goal for the third straight game with a shot in the 36^th minute.
• Jenna Abousaab recorded a career high 58 minutes in the match against Monmouth on Tuesday.
• McKenna Dalfonso registered three saves against the Hawks.

 
Up Next
 

• The Phoenix will return to Rudd Field to take on the Hampton Pirates under the lights. The kickoff for Thursday night's contest is 7 P.M.