ELON, N.C. -- The Elon Phoenix men’s soccer team grabbed its third consecutive victory to start the season by blanking the East Carolina Pirates 3-0 in a non-league game from Rudd Field on Wednesday afternoon. Elon improved to 3-0-0 for the first time since beginning the 1988 season 5-0-0. ECU fell to 0-3-0.

The Phoenix opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Kiki Willis headed a cross from Tim Sullivan past the outstretched Pirate keeper. The goal was the second of the year for the freshman and both have been game-winners.

Less than one minute later Willis drew a foul in the box and Elon was awarded a penalty kick which was taken by Brett Paschall. Paschall’s shot found the left side of the goal to put the Phoenix up 2-0 at 32:03.

Eric Sass netted his first marker of the season and the third of the game for the Phoenix in the 40th minute when he controlled a pass from Paschall and booted into the back of the net for the final score of the contest.

Pirate keeper Chris Hicks grabbed five saves in his 90:00 of work while reining SoCon Player of the Week Taylor Saxe collected two saves over the course of the afternoon. Elon outshot ECU 11-10 overall and 8-2 on goal. Both of ECU’s shots on goal were taken by Danny Lundquist.

The Phoenix held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.

“I thought we played well in the first half. We played some exciting soccer,” said Phoenix coach Darren Powell. “In the second half we stuck to our task and kept our defensive zero. The bonus was to get to see all the boys play.”

Up next for Elon is a home date with Triad rival High Point on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. East Carolina will host Georgia Southern at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

-- ELON --

Game Box Score