NORFOLK, Va. – The Elon University women's soccer team (10-2-4, 4-2-2 CAA) picked up its fourth straight conference victory Thursday, defeating Hampton (5-11-1, 0-8-0 CAA) at Powhatan Field, 3-2.
Jess Beck scored the game-winning goal for the Phoenix in the 76th minute, converting on a second-effort bid to break a 2-2 tie.
Gabby Hoschek and
Grace Gelhaus scored first-half goals for Elon before the Pirates rallied to tie the match in the second half.
With the win, Elon earned three crucial points in the CAA South standings to move into a tie for second place in the division. A draw or better against College of Charleston on Sunday will secure the third and final CAA Tournament spot from the South Division for the Phoenix.
The match between the Phoenix and Pirates was originally scheduled for Oct. 12 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
How It Happened
- Hampton attempted the first shot of the match, but Elon answered with the next four in the opening 11 minutes of the contest. Jenna Abousaab and Gelhaus both put shots on net in that stretch.
- Isa Murdock earned a free kick for the Phoenix from just outside the top of the box in the 14th minute. Hoschek took the set piece for the Phoenix, lifting the ball above a leaping Avery John in net and into the top right corner for the first goal of the contest.
- The Pirates took the next two shots after Hoschek's goal, with Katie Bisgrove making her second save of the afternoon on a Jayda Sutton attempt in the 16th minute.
- Elon doubled its lead after finishing a counterattack in the 30th minute. After taking the ball away in the midfield, Talia Feigin found Ashlee Brehio, who played the ball up to Gelhaus on the left wing. The junior defender dribbled left to create space before taking a shot from the far-left side of the box that found the back of the net by the far post.
- Elon committed a foul in the box in the 33rd minute to give the Pirates a penalty kick opportunity. Shania Harris converted to cut Elon's lead to 2-1, which would be the halftime score.
- Bisgrove denied one of Hampton's best scoring chances in the 53rd minute, stopping a breakaway shot from Elodie Metho after an Elon turnover to maintain the one-goal lead.
- Metho had another look in the 65th minute, missing the goal just wide from tight range.
- Sutton tied the game at 2-2 in the 69th minute, scoring directly off a corner kick.
- The Phoenix retook the lead with a go-ahead goal in the 76th minute. Ava Hellner swept a ball into the box that found Hoschek on the left side, who took a shot that deflected high into the air. Hoschek won the ball as it came down and headed it toward Beck, who headed a shot into the crossbar. The sophomore was the first to touch the ball after it hit the post, pushing it into the open net to make it 3-2 for Elon.
- Elon held Hampton shotless after Beck's goal to secure the one-goal victory.
Notes & Numbers
- Beck's game-winning goal was her second of the season, as she had Elon's lone tally in a 1-0 victory at High Point on Aug. 31. Her four goals on the campaign are the fourth most on the Phoenix.
- Beck has now scored two goals in conference play this season. Her first came in Elon's 1-1 draw against CAA South champion UNCW on Oct. 2.
- With a goal and an assist, Hoschek led the Phoenix with three points on the day. It was her third match this season with three-plus points after notching three against Queens on Aug. 28 and four versus South Carolina State on Sept. 10.
- Hoschek's goal was her fourth this season to come directly off a free kick. Her five goals on the season trail just Gelhaus (7) and Murdock (6) for the team lead.
- Hoschek's assist on Beck's game-winning goal was her sixth of the season, tying her with Murdock for the most helpers on the team.
- Gelhaus has now scored a goal in four straight matches, all of which the Phoenix has won. Her seven goals this season are the most among Elon players and CAA defenders. The junior is now tied for No. 4 in the conference in goals.
- Brehio tallied her fifth assist this season on Gelhaus' goal, adding to her career-high total.
- This was the sixth time Elon has scored three or more goals this season and the third match in a row. The Phoenix is 6-0-0 when scoring three-plus goals
- The Phoenix outshot Hampton, 13-10, for the match, finishing with a 9-6 edge in shots on goal. Elon is now 5-0-0 this season when outshooting its opponent.
- Brehio and Gelhaus paced the Phoenix with three shots apiece. All three of Gelhaus' shots were on target.
- Alexis Pierce was Elon's lone field player to log the full 90 minutes.
- Bisgrove made four saves in goal for the Phoenix. She made two stops in both halves.
- Charlise Grimes made her second start of the season for the Phoenix. She played 45 minutes on Elon's backline.
- Lauren McCauley made her first start of the campaign, logging 39 minutes.
- Elon has now earned 13 of 15 possible points in its last five conference matches. The Phoenix has won or tied in five straight CAA outings.
- The win was Elon's 10th of the season, securing back-to-back seasons with double-digit victories. The last time the Phoenix achieved that feat was the 2009-10 seasons.
- With the victory, Elon passes College of Charleston for the third and final conference tournament spot from the CAA South Division. The teams will face each other Sunday with the final CAA South berth at stake.
Up Next
Elon will host College of Charleston at Rudd Field on Sunday on the final day of the regular season. The contest will begin a 1 p.m.
The Phoenix needs one point against the Cougars to secure the third and final spot in the CAA Tournament from the South Division. A win or tie would clinch a tournament berth for Elon.
Stay Posted
For further coverage of Elon women's soccer, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonWSoccer), Instagram (
elonwsoccer) and Facebook (Elon Women's Soccer).
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