Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Elon forward Chris Thomas netted back-to-back second half goals as the Elon Phoenix and Duke Blue Devils played to a 2-2 draw in non-conference men’s soccer action at Koskinen Stadium on Tuesday night. Elon (6-9-2) and Duke (9-6-2) played to a tie for the second consecutive meeting after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw in 2010.  

The Phoenix remained unbeaten against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents this year with wins over Clemson and Wake Forest.

“This was another hard fought college soccer game,” commented Elon head men’s soccer coach Darren Powell. “We thought we played well in spells and they played well in spells. We were impressed with the intensity of our guys to come out and get two good goals to start the second half. Now we have to prepare for the start of the Southern Conference Tournament this weekend.”

After a quiet first half that saw Duke with the lone goal, Elon came out firing in the second period. Earning an early corner kick, the Phoenix batted the ball around in the box before Nick Millington crossed the ball in front of the goalmouth and found Thomas on the right post. Thomas headed in the equalizer in the 47th minute, his team-leading sixth goal of the year.

Minutes later, the Phoenix struck again. Senior midfielder James Carroll sent a long pass forward to Thomas who was doubled up by Duke defenders. Thomas pulled a great move to separate himself from the Blue Devils and send a perfect strike past diving goalie James Belshaw to put Elon on top, 2-1, in the 50th minute.  

Duke kept the pressure and with just under 18 minutes remaining in the contest, the Devils struck again. Christopher Tweed-Kent served the ball from deep on the left side of the field into the middle of the box, finding Matt Slotnick who finished the short shot into the middle of the net.

Both teams had chances in the overtime minutes, but neither team could find the back of the net after two extra sessions. Duke outshot the Phoenix 17-12 in the contest and owned a 9-6 edge in corner kicks.

The home team controlled much of the possession in the opening period and Duke notched the game’s first score in the 28th minute. Tweed-Kent had the service and Andrew Wenger sent a driving strike to the far post.

Elon keeper Nathan Dean posted four saves in the effort while Belshaw was credited with two stops.

Elon will begin Southern Conference Tournament play this weekend when it travels to Statesboro, Ga. The Phoenix and Georgia Southern Eagles will square off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 6. Georgia Southern defeated Elon 4-2 in the regular-season meeting.