MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College women's soccer team got its 2014 campaign off on the right foot Friday evening at Grappone Stadium. Yet it was actually a late second-half header that defeated Saint Michael's College 1-0 in a semifinal of the second annual Catholic Cup.

After threatening for much of the second half, Saint Anselm finally broke through in the 83rd minute. Junior midfielder Rachel Gillies (Auburn, Mass.) sent a perfect cross from the deep right wing, finding the head of freshman forward Alexis Elowitch (Portland, Maine) who dramatically delivered the game-winner near post.

"It was all about the service—that ball was first class," head coach Tony Wallis said. "She served that thing 40 yards and landed right on Alexis' head. It was absolutely brilliant."

Saint Michael's (0-1) caught the host Hawks a bit on their heels to start the game with a pair of breakaways in the opening 20 minutes. Yet Saint Anselm (1-0) settled in, reorganized and some increased defensive pressure kept the Saint Michael's threats to a minimum.

The goalkeeping tandem of Cassie Quattropani (East Hartford, Conn.) and senior Gabriella Primera (Kennett Square, Pa.) saved all three Purple Knight shots on goal.

With the season-opening victory—Saint Anselm's first since 2008—the Hawks move onto the Catholic Cup Championship for the first time in the tournament's two-year existence. Saint Anselm will take on Stonehill College (1-0), a 4-2 victor over Assumption College, Saturday afternoon at approximately 3:00 p.m. Assumption (0-1) and Saint Michael's will battle in the consolation game at 1:00 p.m.

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