Elon 2, Clemson 0
ELON, N.C. -- Two first-half scores propelled the Elon men's soccer team to its first-ever win against the visiting Clemson Tigers, a 2-0 victory under a steady rainfall at the annual Jimmy V Classic game at Rhodes Stadium on Wednesday night. Freshman Chris Thomas scored his second goal of the season and sophomore James Carroll netted his first career strike to lead the Phoenix to back-to-back wins. Elon improved to 2-2-1 overall, while Clemson dropped to 0-4-1.
The Phoenix was on the attack from the opening horn, badgering Tiger goalkeeper Joe Bendik with a barrage of shots. Freshman Chris Thomas forced Bendik out to make a save midway through the opening period and senior Daniel Street knocked the rebound shot at the net, but it went just wide.
The Elon momentum continued to increase and at the 27:51 mark, Thomas and senior Erfan Imeni teamed up for a give-and-go goal to put the Phoenix on top. Streaking down the midfield, Thomas sent the ball wide to Imeni who fed it back inside the box where Thomas converted on a shot from about 10 yards out.
Elon wasn't content with just the one-goal lead and less than 10 minutes later Carroll added to the Phoenix advantage. Senior Justin Wyatt sent a through ball to the middle of the box where Carroll beat his defenders and sent the score past a diving Bendik. With his first assist of the season, Wyatt moved into sole possession of second place in the Elon career record books with 65 total points.
The Phoenix closed the half with a 12-3 advantage in the shot column, a 3-0 edge in corner kicks and a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard.
Most of the second half was spent in Elon's offensive third, with the Phoenix defense producing another strong performance. Senior keeper Clint Irwin recorded his third shutout of the season, making three saves in the contest.
Elon nearly added an insurance goal in the 70th minute of action. Rookie Gabe Latigue rocketed a shot from the far right corner. Bendik sprawled out and managed to tip it as the ball hit the far post and dribbled out of bounds.
For the game, the Phoenix outshot the Tigers 23-4 and took five corner kicks compared to just one by the visitors. The victory was only the second ever over an Atlantic Coast Conference school since Elon moved to Division I play in 1999.
The Phoenix go on the road for the next two matches, beginning with a battle at East Tennessee State on Saturday, September 19 at 3 p.m.
Davidson 2, Radford 0
RADFORD, Va. - Charlie Reiter scored the game-winning goal just 21 seconds into the match while the Davidson defense held Radford scoreless as Davidson men's soccer earned a 2-0 victory over Radford on Wednesday night at Cupp Field.
Machel Turner's opening attack was thwarted by a Radford defender, but the ball was deflected to Reiter who rifled it through traffic from the top of the penalty box to give Davidson the early advantage. The Westport, Conn. native also earned an assist on Davidson's second goal when Turner tallied his first goal of the season early in the second half. Turner put home Reiter's pass just inside the left post at the 55:54 mark.
"It was a commanding performance," said head coach Matt Spear. "Scoring such an early goal got us off on the right foot and then the team was very composed and workmanlike throughout the match and held on for the win."
Davidson (3-1) goalkeeper Chip Sanders turned away two shots on goal to earn his second shut out of the season. The Wildcats held Radford (2-2) to nine shots in the game.
Davidson's offense fired 15 shots, seven on goal. Turner kept the pressure on Radford throughout the night, leading Davidson with four total, three on net. Reiter now leads Davidson in scoring through four games with seven points (3 goals, 1 assist).
Davidson men's soccer will play their second of three consecutive road matches on Saturday night, traveling to face Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C. at 7 p.m.
James Madison 1, UNC Greensboro 0
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? Christian McLaughlin scored on a 25-yard blast midway through the first half and it held up as the only tally of the night as James Madison recorded its fourth straight shutout with a 1-0 win over UNC Greensboro in men’s soccer action Wednesday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
McLaughlin intercepted a ball near the middle of the field and unloaded on a low liner towards the far post. Goalkeeper Peyton Ford got a piece of it, but it tucked just inside of the post for the only goal of the night.
James Madison goalkeeper Ken Manahan recorded his fourth consecutive shutout for the Dukes (4-1-0) and ran his personal shutout streak to 368 minutes in the win. Manahan had two saves in the win.
UNCG (1-3-1) had two outstanding chances in the second half. Thomas Campbell got behind the defense and gathered a through ball about 10 yards from the goal. But he poked it just wide of the far post with 24 minutes to play.
Matt Foxx had another chance about 10 minutes later when he found himself 1-on-1 with Manahan. But Manahan leaped high in the air and snagged the shot that would have just tucked under the cross bar.
UNCG, which had been unbeaten in its last two outings, will return to action on Saturday when they face in-state rival UNC Wilmington for a 7 pm match.