Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Chris Thomas’ seventh goal of the season brought the game back to even, but Elon was unable to get the go-ahead score as the Phoenix played the visiting Furman Paladins to a 1-1 draw in Southern Conference men’s soccer action from Rudd Field on Tuesday night. It was the sixth overtime game of the season for Elon as the Phoenix moved to 6-3-5 overall, 3-1-1 in the league. Furman (6-4-4, 2-0-2) has played to a draw in three of its last four contests and has played nine overtime games this season.

“I thought we battled back well to start the second half with a good goal in a spirited Southern Conference match,” stated Elon head men’s soccer coach Darren Powell. “Furman got off to a good start and we have to learn to come and play for the whole game. Our task now is to get ready for another conference match on Saturday at Appalachian State.”

Furman got on the board first, scoring in the 20th minute of action. Mark Gabriel served a ball along the goal line from the right side of the field. Elon keeper Reed Dillard got a hand on the ball but couldn’t control it and Furman’s Danny Hojaij was there to chip in the short shot for his first goal of the year.

After an otherwise quiet first half, Elon came out with a little fire in the second period. The Phoenix gained possession of the ball in the midfield and got it out wide to Denzel Ogunyase who brought the ball down the right side of the field. Ogunyase slid the ball forward to a running Thomas who struck in perfectly into the far corner to even the score at the 53:15 mark. Thomas leads the SoCon with seven strikes on the season.

Elon had two late chances in regulation to take the lead. With under 12 minutes to play and Elon possessing the ball near the top of the box, Hunter Miller touched a pass to Gabe Latigue who turned a hooked a shot just wide of the net. As the final minute wound down, Latigue served a nice ball to a streaking Daniel Lovitz but Furman keeper Alec Kann saved the freshman’s shot.

In the extra sessions, Furman had the two best chances, both of which came in the first 10-minute overtime period. After a Paladin corner kick, there was a loose ball in the box that got knocked around before safely going out of bounds just wide of the post with about seven minutes to play. Minutes later, a bullet by Dane Roberts sailed just wide right.

The Paladins held the slight 11-10 advantage in the shot column and took seven corner kicks compared to only three by the Phoenix. Kann made two saves and Dillard notched four stops.

Elon has two Southern Conference games remaining, beginning with a trip to Boone, N.C. to face Appalachian State on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.