Box Score

ELON, N.C. – A record crowd of 3,119 rowdy fans were on hand as the Elon Phoenix and High Point Panthers played to a scoreless draw in the season opener for both men’s soccer teams on Saturday night in Rhodes Stadium. The crowd was treated to a fast-paced, competitive soccer match complete with numerous scoring opportunities and several near misses.

“This was a fantastic college soccer game,” commented Elon head coach Darren Powell. “The record attendance inspired both teams and our supporters really helped our guys. It was exciting to see and we hope that it continues throughout the season.”

Elon controlled much of the first half of action, creating several opportunities that nearly gave the Phoenix the lead. In the 18th minute, sophomore Danny Lovitz found junior transfer Jordan Smith on a cross from the right side of the field. Smith’s header from about 15 yards out sailed just high of the goal.

Sophomore Gabe Latigue, who racked up a game-high six shots in the contest, had the Phoenix’s best chance of the first period in the 30th minute. His rocket from about 30 yards out ricocheted off the cross bar and was eventually cleared away by the Panther defense.

“We really stuck with our game plan and played quite well throughout the contest,” Powell noted. “We created several opportunities but unfortunately we couldn’t score. We defended well against a very good, fast-paced college team and program.”

The second period was rather quiet until a flurry of Elon shots in the 70th minute. Lovitz served a Phoenix corner into the middle of the box where defender Austen King got a head on it. High Point blocked it away but Latigue was there for the rebound. The Panthers managed to punch that shot away as well and another Latigue follow went wide of the net.  

Minutes later, midfielder James Carroll and Latigue connected for a little give-and-go inside the box but Carroll’s short shot was batted away by High Point keeper Michael Chesler.

With the final minutes of the half ticking down and a steady rain beginning to fall, Elon staved off the Panther attack to offer the crowd some free soccer. Chesler made all five of his saves in the second period while Phoenix goalie Reed Dillard collected six of his nine stops on the evening in the final 45 minutes of regulation.

High Point had the best chance of the extra sessions with about three minutes remaining in the final overtime. Leon Carby slid a shot to the far post from the right side of the field where Dillard made a diving stop. The ball came loose and High Point’s Mamadee Nyepon was there for the follow. His shot went off the post and back into the field of play where Shawn Sloan looked to put away the golden goal. An offside call negated the score and the game ended in a scoreless tie.

Both Elon and High Point recorded 16 shots in the contest and each team was called offsides on three occasions. The Panthers were called for 23 fouls compared to 14 for Elon. Six cards were issued, including a late red card to High Point with under two minutes remaining in the game.  

“Our task now is to prepare for another strong program from the Big South in Coastal Carolina,” said Powell.

Elon will head to the VCU Tournament next weekend where the Phoenix will take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Friday, September 2 at 5 p.m.