Box Score

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Elon men’s soccer team never trailed as the Phoenix turned in a 3-1 performance against the previously unbeaten Campbell Fighting Camels in Wednesday night non-conference action at Eakes Athletic Complex. The Phoenix got goals from three different players, including the game-winner from reigning Southern Conference Player of the Week Chris Thomas in the 36th minute of action.  

“It was good to win on the road against a talented Campbell team,” Elon head coach Darren Powell said. “It is good to see us progressing as the season goes on. Now we need to prepare to be back home against a ranked and undefeated Old Dominion team on Saturday night.”

Elon (2-3-1) has scored eight goals in the last two games after scoring only one goal in the first four contests. The last time an Elon team totaled eight goals over back-to-back games was when it scored four against both UNCG and Furman in 2008.

The Phoenix got on the board early, capitalizing off a corner kick opportunity in the 10th minute. Gabe Latigue served the ball deep into the box where it was cleared outside the top of the 18-yard box. Nick Millington was in perfect position for the one touch strike into the right side of the net. It was the earliest score of the season for the Phoenix.

Rookie Jason Waterman nearly added to the lead just moments later, his long shot on a counter attack going just wide of the far right post.

A barrage of shots continued by the Phoenix as Thomas came off the bench and forced Campbell (3-1-1) keeper Ethan Hall to make a save on a short shot to maintain the one goal game.

In the 36th minute, Thomas did add to the Elon lead. Off a Phoenix throw in from the left side in its offensive third, Austin Dunker crossed a perfect ball into the middle of the box where Thomas flicked his third goal of the year past Hall to give Elon the 2-0 advantage. The points were the first of rookie Dunker’s career.

The Camels managed to trim the lead right before the half. With 30 seconds remaining on the clock and the ball bouncing around deep in the box off a throw-in, Campbell’s Justin Franz made a short pass to the right side where J.J. Elder drove a low shot past diving Elon goalie Nathan Dean into the left corner.

Early in second half action, the home team almost netted the equalizer off the foot of Eduardo Rodriguez, but his bullet curled just wide of the far post.

The Phoenix got the goal back in the 58th minute when Latigue pushed a long thru ball to a speedy Jordan Smith who broke away from his defenders and slid the score past the Camel goalie for a 3-1 Phoenix lead.  

Although Elon held the majority of possession, Campbell had some near misses, including a shot midway through the final period by Mitchell Cardenas that ricocheted down off the cross bar and was narrowly cleared by a Phoenix defender.

Elon staved off the Camel attack for the remainder of the contest, with Dean making three saves on the evening. Campbell’s Hall posted five stops.

Both teams recorded 17 shots, while Elon earned eight corner kicks compared to only two by the Camels.

The Phoenix returns to Rudd Field on Saturday night when it will take on the No. 21/12 Old Dominion Monarchs at 7 p.m.