Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Chris Pettiglio’s golden goal in the 109th minute lifted the visiting Davidson Wildcats to a 3-2 victory over the Elon Phoenix in Southern Conference men’s soccer action from Rudd Field on Saturday night. Elon (3-7-1, 1-2-0) battled back from a goal down twice in the match but was unable to find the back of the net in the extra sessions.

With under two minutes remaining in the final overtime period, Davidson (5-5-1, 1-1-0) was awarded a free kick at the top of the box. The ensuing shot by the Wildcats’ Peter Paras glanced off the bottom of the crossbar and bounced straight down. The loose ball was batted around until Pettiglio finished the winner in the middle of the net to give the ‘Cats the victory.

“This was another tough Southern Conference match,” said Elon head coach Darren Powell. “Davidson played well and we fought back twice in the match but just didn’t have enough to get the winner. Now we need to bounce back quickly and prepare for a home game against Clemson on Tuesday.”

Elon managed to send the game to overtime with a score off the foot of Daniel Lovitz in the 86th minute of the contest. With the score 2-1 in Davidson’s favor, Elon’s Glenn Scott sent a long pass down the right side. Lovitz picked up the pass and slid a shot to the far post from about 18 yards out to keep the Phoenix hopes alive.

Elon had the best OT opportunity with under three minutes remaining in the first extra session. Midfielder Gabe Latigue sent a beautiful ball on goal, forcing Davidson keeper Chip Sanders to make the stop. The ball dribbled away but Sanders managed to tip it out of bounds before Jordan Smith could tap in the rebound.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak against the Wildcats.

Both teams had some good chances throughout the first half, but it was the Wildcats who got on the board just before the break. Davidson’s Alex Givens collected the ball in the middle of the box and sent a short pass to the right side where Jake Keator drove his first goal of the year to the far lower corner to give the ‘Cats a 1-0 advantage in the 43rd minute.

Elon’s best first-half chance came in the 31st minute when senior midfielder Nick Millington rocketed a shot from about 23 yards out that banged off the crossbar. Shortly after, Lovitz came streaking down the field and found Chris Thomas who’s shot was blocked away.

The Phoenix equalizer came off the head of defender Nick Butterly in the 57th minute. Elon had just earned a free kick near the top of the box and Latigue’s shot off the kick went off the fingertips of Sanders to save the goal. On the ensuing corner kick, Latigue served the ball to the far post where Butterly tucked in his first goal of the season.

Elon nearly pulled on top minutes later when Millington made a great run into the box and passed left to Latigue. The midfielder’s chip shot sailed high of the net. Seconds later, the Phoenix forced Sanders to make another great save when Smith sent a bullet from the right side on goal.

The momentum clearly in the Phoenix’s favor, Elon continued to pressure the net, but it was Davidson who pulled on top late in the second half. In the 75th minute, Max Riehemann sent a deep shot from the left side from about 30 yards out. The ball slipped through the hands of Phoenix goalie Reed Dillard and gave the Wildcats the advantage once again.

Elon held a decided 23-13 advantage in the shot column and a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Sanders had a solid night in the net with eight saves. Dillard stopped five shots.

The Phoenix will move out of conference action for a mid-week bout with ACC foe Clemson on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The game is slated to kick at 7 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium.