Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Georgia Southern knocked in three goals in the final five minutes of the game to surge past the host Elon Phoenix, 4-2, in Southern Conference men’s soccer action on Friday night at Rudd Field. Elon (5-9-1, 1-4-0) put in a dominating performance for much of the contest, but the Eagle (8-6-1, 4-2-0) equalizer in the 85th minute sparked the squad to two more quick goals to earn the victory.

After both teams netted first-half goals, Elon took the 2-1 advantage on an Austen King header off a set piece. Midfielder Gabe Latigue served the free kick from the top left side of the 18 and found King who finished the short header into the middle of the net at the 54:15 mark.

The Phoenix continued to maintain possession for much of the second half, nearly adding to its lead midway through the final period when Jason Waterman’s shot banged off the left post.

As the clock wound down, Georgia Southern scrambled to get the tying goal. In the 85th minute, Joe Hughes sent a long cross in the box from the right side where the Eagles’ leading goal scorer Luigi Clendening notched his 12th goal of the year with a low shot to the far post.

The momentum started to shift and three minutes later the Eagles struck again. At the 87:43 mark, Hunter Norton dumped off a pass to Ethan LaPan who drove the ball into the back of the net from about 18 yards out.

Behind for the first time all game with only two minutes to play, Elon pressed to find a way to score. But again, Georgia Southern came through with another score as Clendening netted his second goal of the game to put the match away for the Eagles.

The most impressive goal of the evening came in the 11th minute off the foot of Elon’s Matt Wescoe. Latigue sent a corner kick in the box where GSU goalie Ryan Platt cleared the ball to the top of the 18. Nick Millington headed the ball forward and Wescoe sent a perfect bicycle kick goal into the middle of the net to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead.

Georgia Southern’s tying goal in the first half happened in the 34th minute when David Vargas Masis collected a loose ball in the box and sent it across the goalmouth to Norton who finished the short shot.

Georgia Southern held a 14-10 advantage in the shot column and a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Platt and Elon keeper Nathan Dean were each credited with five saves.

The Phoenix will head to Charleston, S.C., for its last league road contest of the regular season. Elon faces off against College of Charleston on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.