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Men's Soccer

Late Goals Lead No. 21 Charlotte Past Elon Men’s Soccer


Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Behind back-to-back second-half goals by Jennings Rex, the 21st-ranked Charlotte 49ers came away with a 3-0 victory over the host Elon Phoenix in non-conference men’s soccer action at Rudd Field on Friday night. Charlotte moves to 3-1 on the season while Elon drops to 0-3-1 on the year.

“This was another tough loss against a very good Charlotte team,” commented Elon head coach Darren Powell. “We just need to improve on our individual and team performances and get ready for Sunday.”

After a quiet first half that saw very few chances by either squad, Charlotte got on the board in the 57th minute when Evan James sent a beautiful ball from the middle of the field that found the foot of a streaking Rex just inside the box on the right side. The Charlotte striker curled a perfect ball over the fingertips of Phoenix keeper Nathan Dean and into the middle of the net to take the 1-0 advantage.

Elon nearly got the equalizer just seconds later when a Denzel Ogunyase rocketed a shot in stride from the far side of the field, the ball sliding just wide of the goal.

The Niners carried momentum and Rex was quick to cushion the lead, beating an Elon defender on the left side of the field and launching the shot to the far corner of the net in the 67th minute for a 2-0 Charlotte lead.

Three minutes later, a foul in the box awarded Charlotte a penalty kick and Tyler Gibson converted his first score of the season to push the game further out of reach for Elon.

Charlotte held possession early in the first half, but Elon cleared several Niner corner kicks and Dean made a great save in the 16th minute on a short shot by Rex to keep the game scoreless.

Elon’s best opportunity of the opening half came with under four minutes to play when Jordan Smith drove a shot from the left side towards the goal where Charlotte’s Klay Davis was there to corral the shot.

Charlotte held an 18-7 advantage in the shot column and attempted nine corner kicks compared to two by the Phoenix.

Elon will have a quick turnaround as the Phoenix hosts North Florida in a Sunday afternoon tilt at 2 p.m.
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