Elon Resilient in Setback to No. 2 Seed Duke in 2025 NCAA Women's Soccer Opening Round

11/14/2025 8:10:35 PM

Dylan Smith

BOX SCORE

DURHAM, N.C. – Reigning CAA Champion Elon put forth a valiant effort in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship before falling to No. 2 seed Duke, 3-0, on Friday evening from Freeman Field. The Phoenix ends the 2025 season with an 11-3-7 record.

The Blue Devils (14-4-1) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 11^th minute on a header from Mia Minestrella. The junior forward found the back of the net on a feed from outside of the 18-yard box by Kat Rader.

Elon defender Jessica Hill kept the deficit at one just 10 minutes later as a scramble inside the six-yard box nearly ended up in the back of the net. The sophomore managed to stand tall on the goal line, stopping and clearing away Mia Oliaro’s attempt that trickled past the Phoenix keeper, Katie Bisgrove.

The Blue Devils’ tandem of Minestrella and Rader connected again in the 23^rd minute before Minestrella completed the hat trick in the 48^th minute to close out the Blue Devils’ scoring on the evening.

Bisgrove had a tall task against the 11^th-ranked team in the nation, making a key diving stop in the 29^th minute to deny Rader at the left post. The Phoenix nearly found twine in the 34^th minute after securing its first corner kick of the contest. The cross pinballed around the 18-yard box before Jess Beck tried to nudge a slide touch past the keeper, only to see her attempt booted out of danger.

Just 10 seconds into the second half, Bisgrove had to get two mitts on a laser from 25 yards out, turning away Devin Lynch’s shot on frame. The Ridgewood, N.J., native finished with six saves in the contest, including five in the second half alone. Bisgrove finished her sophomore campaign with a career-high 106 stops on the season.

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