Elon 2, Davidson 1 (OT)
ELON, N.C. -- Junior midfielder Brad Franks knocked in the golden goal to give the Elon men's soccer team a 2-1 overtime victory over the visiting Davidson Wildcats in Southern Conference action at Rudd Field on Saturday night. With the win, Elon (6-4-1, 3-0-0) remained undefeated in league action while handing Davidson (9-2-0, 2-1-0) its first conference loss.
After getting the equalizer in the second half, the Phoenix continued to dominate the attack in the opening minutes of overtime. Senior Erfan Imeni rocketed a shot from the far right side, but Wildcat keeper Chip Sanders deflected it back into the field of play. Imeni regained possession and touched the ball to Franks who took two dribbles and drilled the game-winner into the far corner of the net past a diving Sanders. The score was Franks' second of the season and Imeni picked up his team-high fifth assist.
The Wildcats got off to a strong start, controlling play and challenging the Elon back line. Davidson found the goal early, scoring in the 11th minute of the contest. Yannick Pilgrim slid a pass through the Elon defense, finding teammate Charlie Reiter in the box. Reiter dribbled around the remaining defenders to get a look at the net. Reiter's team-leading eighth goal of the season found the back of the net at the 10:42 mark and gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
The momentum shifted in Elon's favor after the Phoenix found itself down a goal. Elon possessed the ball and played much of the half in its attacking third of the field. Freshman Chris Thomas had the best opportunity to get the equalizer just minutes after the Wildcat score. Thomas drilled an attempt from the left side of the box, but Sanders was there to make one of his eight saves in the contest.
Davidson held a 6-3 advantage in shots after 45 minutes, but it was the Phoenix whose offense came alive in the second period. Elon racked up six shots in the first 10 minutes of the half, putting Davidson on its heels. Senior defender Steven Kinney blasted a shot off a free kick in the 50th minute, forcing Sanders to punch the ball over the net.
Minutes later, Imeni sent a long service into the mixer from the right side. After the ball bounced off the feet of several players, Kinney managed to clean it up and tie the game 1-1.
Elon continued to pressure the Wildcat defense, as Sanders had to clear numerous dangerous crosses from the Phoenix midfielders. With 20 minutes remaining in regulation, a streaking Justin Wyatt sent a long strike at the goal, but Sanders was there again to corral the shot.
The Phoenix ended the game with a 17-8 advantage in the shot column and attempted six corner kicks while not giving up a single corner to Davidson. Elon sits atop the SoCon standings with four league games to play. The Phoenix has won its last 10 regular-season conference games.
College of Charleston 2, UNC Greensboro 0
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Zach Prince had a goal and an assist as College of Charleston snapped a five-game losing skid with a 2-0 win over UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference men's soccer action Saturday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The Cougars (7-6-0, 1-2-0) had been a Top-25 ranked team prior to their losing skid. Prince got the scoring started at the 14:34 mark. Branko Gavric played a ball from near midfield toward the 18 yard line. Prince got to the ball right at the UNCG back line and was able to scoot through for a 1-on-1 with goalkeeper Peyton Ford. Prince chipped the ball into the upper 90 on the right side for his fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
The scored that way until 14:02 remained in regulation time. Prince took a corner kick for the Cougars and found Matt Morris slicing down the middle of the box. Morris leaped in the air and got a foot on it, to pop it just inside the left post to give the Cougars an insurance marker.
UNCG (3-6-3, 1-1-1) outshot the Cougars, 10-8, on the night. Ford had two saves, while Clark Hankins had four saves for the Cougars in his first appearance since September 20.
Gardner-Webb 5, Georgia Southern 2
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Aleksandar Tomic gave the Georgia Southern men's soccer team a first half lead with his first goal of the season but the Eagles were unable to hold on to the lead, falling to Gardner-Webb, 5-2 Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs tied the match in the 40th minute and took a 2-1 halftime lead a minute later.
Austin Steele responded to Gardner-Webb's offensive outburst with a goal of his own, tying the match in the 60th minute.
The Bulldogs went on to score three unanswered goals in the remainder of the second half to earn their sixth win of the season.
Both teams exchanged shots in the first seven minutes. Rich Heyer got the Georgia Southern offense started early with a shot on goal in the first minute. Joe Madigan put another shot on target four minutes later to keep the pressure on the Bulldogs.
Gardner-Webb (6-3-1) controlled the ball in the Eagles' territory in the 17th minute, recording three shots and a corner kick in a two minute period. Mike Gubosh made plays on two of those shots, and the defense saved the other keeping the match scoreless.
Brennan Peacock put a shot on target in the 20th minute, forcing a save from Trent Kozman.
The Eagles (0-9-1) moved the ball into the Bulldog's territory and earned a corner kick in the 33rd minute. Madigan took the kick, and Tomic delivered the goal off a header. The goal was the first of Tomic's career.
Gardner-Webb responded with two quick goals to lead 2-1 at halftime. Richie Wall tied the match in the 40th minute after the ball rebounded off the crossbar. John Sargent took the lead with a shot past the keeper in the 41st minute.
Georgia Southern went on the offensive in the 58th minute, recording three shots and two corners. Heyer forced a save by the new keeper Andrew Robinson which led to two corner kicks by Madigan. Tomic just missed his second goal of the match and hit the crossbar in the 59th minute.
A minute later, Steele took advantage of a miss-played ball in the box and put his shot in the back of the net, tying the match at two goals a piece.
Witt Carlisle tried to give the Eagles the lead with a shot on target in the 70th minute, but Robinson came up with the save.
Gardner-Webb pulled away late in the second half, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes.
The Eagles visit No. 18 N.C. State Tuesday in a non-conference match at 7 p.m. in Raleigh, N.C.