DURHAM – The Elon University women's soccer team (11-3-7) saw its 2025 championship season come to a close Friday night, falling 3-0 to 11th-ranked and second-seeded Duke (13-4-1) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Koskinen Stadium.
The Phoenix, appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history and the second time in the past five seasons, was outshot 29-1 by the host Blue Devils, but battled throughout behind a strong effort from goalkeeper Katie Bisgrove, who finished with six saves.
Duke's Mia Minestrella scored all three goals for the Blue Devils, striking twice in the first half before adding a third shortly after halftime. The Blue Devils, who appeared in last season's College Cup, advanced to the second round with the victory.
How It Happened
- Duke applied heavy pressure from the opening whistle, putting two shots wide in the first eight minutes.
- Minestrella opened the scoring on a goal set up by Kat Rader in the 10th minute.
- Elon recorded its lone shot of the match in the 16th minute, a blocked attempt by Isa Murdock.
- Minestrella doubled Duke's lead in the 23rd minute, again assisted by Rader, after the Blue Devils generated multiple corner kicks and shots in quick succession.
- Duke extended its lead to 3-0 as Minestrella completed her hat trick on assists by Mia Oliaro and Jocelyn Travers.
- Bisgrove made five saves in the second half, including stops in the 54th, 55th and 56th minutes during a flurry of Duke attempts.
- Elon neutralized Duke's attack over the final 20 minutes, allowing just three shots while possessing the ball for significant stretches.
Notes & Numbers
- Tonight's game marked Elon's third game in the NCAA Tournament and the most recent since 2021. Elon's record in NCAA Tournament games is now 0-3.
- Bisgrove made six saves against the Blue Devils. Bisgrove finishes her historic sophomore campaign with 106 saves, tied for the eighth most in Elon history for saves in a season. Bisgrove is the first Elon goalie with 100 saves in a season since Kate Murphy (112) in 2012.
- Megan Dwyer, Ava Hellner, Jessica Hill, Alexis Pierce and Murdock all logged the full 90 minutes for the Phoenix.
- Amy Ollendorff made her second appearance of the season, playing the final three minutes of the contest in her final game with the Phoenix.
- In total, 18 Elon players saw the field.
- The Phoenix finishes its season with just three losses, the fewest for the Phoenix in a campaign since 2013.
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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