The team upset top-ranked Hofstra University on Thursday to advance to its first Colonial Athletic Association championship game.
The Elon University women’s soccer team made history on Thursday as the Phoenix defeated Hofstra University to advance to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship game for the first time since joining the conference in 2014. The 1-0 victory also marked the program’s first win over Hofstra.
“I’m so proud of the team in what’s been a difficult year,” said head coach Neil Payne. “We’ve shown true grit today. I thought we executed the plan close to perfection. It was a complete team effort. We had freshmen out there who looked like veterans and the upperclassman really stepped up and led the team when we were faced with difficult moments in the game. I’m so proud of them. They deserve it. They earned it. They deserve to be here.”
The Rundown
- Despite both teams having opportunities to score in the first half, neither team found the back of the net.
- In the 78th minute, Claire Broderdorp scored her first goal of the season off of a rebound off the crossbar. Beky Myers was given the assist.
Notes
- The win marked the first time since the 2013 season that the Phoenix defeated a ranked opponent. Hofstra came into the match ranked 23rd in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.
- McKenna Dalfonso (5-3) recorded a season-high seven saves in addition to posting her fifth shutout of the season.
- With the win, the Phoenix is now 5-3 (3-1 CAA) on the season. Hofstra suffered its first setback of the season, falling to 7-1-1.
Up Next
The Phoenix will face the winner of the Northeastern/UNCW matchup in the finals of the CAA Championship at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 17.