Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Appalachian State scored two unanswered goals to come away with a 2-1 victory over the host Elon Phoenix in the Southern Conference men’s soccer opener under cold, windy conditions at Rudd Field on Saturday night. Boubacar Toure’s score in the 54th minute of action broke the tie and proved the game-winner for the Mountaineers (5-2-2, 1-0-0).

The Phoenix (2-6-1, 0-1-0) struck first in the 18th minute of action, taking advantage of a free kick opportunity. Gabe Latigue rocketed his first goal of the year into the upper 90 from just outside the 18-yard box to give the Phoenix a 1-0 advantage.

The game went back and forth with neither team gaining too many good scoring opportunities. At 31:02, the Mountaineers managed to get on the board. Gathering the ball deep in the box just on the left side of the net, Sean Dreybus punched in the short shot past a diving Reed Dillard into the far lower corner of the net.

Elon nearly pulled ahead just before the break when Nick Millington got a good look at the goal following a Phoenix corner kick. The midfielder’s shot sailed just high of the net and the teams remained knotted at one after 45 minutes of action.

The Mountaineers registered only one shot in the second half — a shot that resulted in a goal off the foot of Toure at 53:40. The forward cut to the middle from the right side of the field and took a quick strike in stride from about 12 yards out to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.

Elon’s best chance to get the equalizer came in the final four minutes of the contest. Glenn Scott launched a free kick from midfield into the box where Austen King’s header went just over the net.

Elon held a 9-5 advantage in the shot column and a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.

The Phoenix will look to end a three-game skid when it continues SoCon play at Wofford on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.