Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – Making his first career start, Elon redshirt freshman goalie Reed Dillard posted seven saves to lead the Phoenix to a 1-0 shutout of the Clemson Tigers in non-conference men’s soccer action from Historic Riggs Field on Tuesday night. Elon (5-3-4) shut out the Tigers (3-6-2) for the second straight year and recorded its fourth clean slate of the season. The Phoenix is now 1-0-1 against Atlantic Coast Conference competition this year after earning a 1-1 draw against then-ninth ranked Duke on Sept. 28.

“It is good to get a victory over a good ACC program at Clemson,” noted Elon head coach Darren Powell. “The guys did well on a mid-week road trip and were good enough to win the match tonight. Now, our focus returns to Southern Conference play and our game against last year’s champion Wofford on Saturday night.”

Sophomore Chris Thomas registered the lone goal of the night in the 22nd minute of action. Denzel Ogunyase picked up the ball in the middle of the field and continued down the right side before finding Thomas who one-touched it into the net over rushing Tiger goalie Cody Mizell. The score was the forward’s team-leading sixth goal of the season.

The Phoenix had another late opportunity off a corner kick when Hunter Miller sent a near-perfect header at the net, but it was blocked away by the Tiger defense.

Dillard had seen only four minutes of collegiate action prior to tonight’s contest. The Dallas, Texas native posted five of his seven saves, including one off a diving header and another off a rocket from outside the box, in the second half to stave off the Tiger attack.

Clemson held a 12-8 advantage in shots and attempted eight corner kicks compared to only two by the Phoenix.

Elon will get back into SoCon action on Saturday night when the reigning league champion Wofford Terriers come to town. The Phoenix will be looking to avenge a loss in the 2009 SoCon Tournament title game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Rudd Field.