ELON – Elon is returning to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship for the second time in the last four years where it will face UNCG in the opening round at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday in Greensboro.

The Phoenix clinched the Coastal Athletic Association's automatic berth after winning the 2025 CAA Tournament title and enters the NCAA Championship with a 9-3-6 record. This is Elon's sixth all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and third since joining the CAA (2015, 2022).

Elon was crowned CAA champions Sunday after beating Stony Brook, 3-0, in the title match at Rudd Field. The Phoenix netted a pair of first-half tallies, the first coming on an own goal and the second from Einar Ness. Martin Kozak, who was tabbed as the CAA Championship's Most Outstanding Player, netted an insurance marker in the closing minutes to secure the three-goal victory.

UNCG enters the NCAA Tournament with a 12-4-4 record. The Southern Conference runner-ups have been ranked in the top 10 this season and are currently No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. The Spartans have scored 43 goals this season, the sixth most in Division I. Elon played UNCG to a 0-0 draw at Rudd on Sept. 30.  

The winner of Thursday's match will move on to face No. 2 overall seed Virginia in the second round in Charlottesville. That contest is scheduled for Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. ET.

For more information on the full 48-team field, visit NCAA.com.

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