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ELON, N.C. – The Elon men’s soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against the Jacksonville Dolphins in the final game of the Elon Classic on Sunday afternoon at Rudd Field. After the visitors scored in the first half, Elon sophomore Chris Thomas netted the equalizer in the 60th minute, but neither team was able to break the tie through 110 minutes of action. Elon moved to 1-2-1 on the season while Jacksonville ended the weekend at 3-1-1.

“The weekend provided good competition in the Classic,” Elon head coach Darren Powell said. “In a highly competitive game today, we were able to tie against a very good Jacksonville team. This weekend also allowed us to find out a lot about this current club of players. We will keep trying to improve as the season progresses.”

After Elon controlled possession in the second half, it was Jacksonville who has more opportunity in the first extra session. Phoenix keeper Clint Irwin made two incredible game-saving stops, both on shots off the foot of Anthony Forde. Midway through the first OT, Forde found himself one-on-one with Irwin. The senior goalie came out to block away the shot to keep the game knotted at one. Irwin blocked away a second opportunity with only 1:33 remaining in the first overtime.

The Phoenix got back on the offensive in the final 10 minutes of action, specifically in the closing seconds of the contest. Elon got off two late shots from Denzel Ogunyase and Thomas, but JU’s keeper Johnny Foley came up with back-to-back stops.

Jacksonville got on the board in the 20th minute in the contest. Predrag Ivanovic crossed a long ball from the right side to the middle of the box. Elon was unable to clear the ball and Forde struck the short shot into the far corner of the net to put the Dolphins on top at 19:29.

Elon had several strong first-half chances, but was unable to get the equalizer. Late in the period, forward Archie Karpeh got a foot on the ball in front of the goalmouth where Foley blocked the shot away. Senior Brad Franks was there for the rebound, but with a tough angle couldn’t find the back of the net as Elon headed into halftime scoreless.

At the start of the second half, Thomas got ahead of his defender and lofted a shot over the head of Foley, but the shot careened off the crossbar. Thomas remained active and just minutes later came up with the score. Ogunyase fed the cross from the left side of the field for Thomas who chipped in the goal from about 10 yards out.

Sophomore Gabe Latigue had one of Elon’s best opportunities in the second half, taking service from Hunter Miller on the left side of the field. An impressive Foley save kept Latigue’s header from finding the back of the net.

Elon will be back in action on Friday night when it faces off at Old Dominion on Friday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.

All-Tournament Team
Anthony Forde, Jacksonville
Predrag Ivanovic, Jacksonville
Tobias Hottner, Jacksonville
Martin Resch, Jacksonville
Clint Irwin, Elon
James Carroll, Elon
Gabe Latigue, Elon
Chris Thomas, Elon
Kris Byrd, UNCG
Trey Johnson, UNCG
Matt Strine, UNCG

Offensive MVP
Anthony Forde, Jacksonville

Defensive MVP
Clint Irwin, Elon