Stony Brook, N.Y.- The Elon Phoenix (13-3-1) opened their 2024 CAA Women's Soccer Championship with a win over the College of Charleston Cougars (11-4-5) Thursday night. With the win, Elon avenges a loss to the Cougars earlier this season and sets up a date with Stony Brook on Sunday for a spot in the CAA Final.
 
Ashlee Brehio and Grace Gelhaus both finished with three-point nights as the two both scored and assisted on each other's goals as Elon took down Charleston, 2-1. It is the second consecutive three-point game for Brehio and Gelhaus scored just her second goal of the season and first game-winning goal of the season.  
 
How It Happened

• Both teams settled in for the first ten minutes with the only action coming from an Elon corner in the seventh minute.
• Katie Bisgrove made her first save of the match in the 13^th minute.
• After another save by Bisgrove, Isa Murdock had the best opportunity of the first half on a breakaway down the right wing. Murdock was through on goal, but her effort was saved by the legs of the Cougar keeper.
• Ashlee Brehio then put a shot on goal from outside the box that was also saved just a minute later.
• Charleston began to pepper Bisgrove in net, including hitting the woodwork and post in quick succession, Bisgrove was equal to them all.
• The second half was started well the Phoenix. With Isa Murdock putting an effort at goal within the first 45 seconds of the match.
• Elon struck first in the match when Grace Gelhaus cut inside and found Ashlee Brehio. Brehio let loose a shot and blasted the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the "D" to the keeper's right-hand side.
• Charleston would answer ten minutes later to equal the score with 18:30 to play.
• Charleston had the momentum, but Elon took it back in the final ten minutes. Brehio let two shots fly as Elon continued to hold possession.
• Brehio then found Grace Gelhaus on the edge of the box, who took a touch at the top of the box and let a shot fly which found the back of the net in the top right corner.
• Elon would hold their lines in the final four minutes to take the match, 2-1.

 
Notes and Stats

• Elon advances to the semifinals of the CAA Championships for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
• Elon avenges its loss to the Cougars earlier this season with the 2-1 win. Elon has won five of their last six games against the College of Charleston.  
• Ashlee Brehio tucked away her fifth goal of the season to open the scoring. Brehio has picked up three points in back-to-back games following Elon's win at UNCW.  
• Grace Gelhaus added her second goal of the season and picked up the assist on Brehio's goal. Gelhaus's goal with four minutes left was the decider.
• Ava Hellner also picked up an assist on Gelhaus's goal.
• Katie Bisgrove made seven saves in the win over College of Charleston.

 
Up Next

• The Phoenix faces the Stony Brook Sea Wolves in the semifinals of the 2024 CAA Women's Soccer Championship this Sunday. Kickoff with the Sea Wolves will be at 1 PM.