Elon’s women’s soccer squad secured a 2‑1 victory over High Point University on Tuesday, pulling off a comeback that underscored the team’s defensive cohesion and early-season promise.
Junior forward Gabby Tirado opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing a quick move set up by Isa Murdock, and the Phoenix carried a 1‑0 advantage into the break after a dominant first half.
The second half saw senior Grace Gelhaus and classmate Lauren McCauley combine for the decisive second goal, while High Point’s penalty conversion narrowed the margin and forced a tense finish.
Coach Praises Resilience
Head coach Neil Payne highlighted the squad’s grit, noting the yellow card handed to assistant Clifton Bush was a minor footnote to a performance built on perseverance.
Looking Ahead
The win marks the Phoenix’s third triumph in four outings and sets them up for a September 3 showdown with Virginia Military Institute, a match that Gabby Tirado says the team is already preparing for with extra training.
With the early-season tie against Davidson still fresh, the squad is looking to translate the win into sustained momentum as conference play ramps up, a goal echoed by Tirado’s confidence in the team’s work ethic.