Elon 2, No. 6 Coastal Carolina 1 Elon, N.C. // Rudd Field

Elon head coach Darren Powell and senior midfielder Daniel Lovitz about the Phoenix's 2-1 win over sixth-ranked Coastal Carolina.

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ELON, N.C. – Senior Daniel Lovitz's conversion on a penalty kick near the 85^th minute helped the Elon University men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over No. 6 Coastal Carolina on Tuesday night, Oct. 29, at Rudd Field. The win ties the Phoenix's highest defeat ever against a ranked opponent.

Elon improved to 12-4-1 after earning its first win against the Chanticleers (12-3) since 2000. The victory was also the maroon and gold's second against a top-10 opponent this season since a 1-0 defeat at home to then No. 9 Wake Forest on Sept. 17. The win ties Elon's highest defeat against a ranked opponent since a 2-0 victory versus then sixth-ranked Charlotte last season.

Neither team could get on the scoreboard in the first half with limited opportunities on each side. Coastal Carolina found a few chances near the 10^th minute as Pedro Ribeiro's shot went wide then a follow a minute later by Ricky Garbanzo was blocked by the maroon and gold defense leading to a corner. The Chanticleers could not convert on the set piece and the ball went the other way.

Elon threatened in the 37^th minute as Myles Mansfield was able to beat the Chanticleer's back four, but his shot was corralled keeper Devin Cook. CCU wasted no time racing back the opposite end and almost had a header shot by Ribeiro go into the back of the net, but Elon keeper Nathan Dean was there to make the stop.

Both teams went into the half scoreless with Coastal Carolina holding a slight 4-2 advantage on shots and leading the Phoenix overall in corners, 3-1.

After Cook turned away a few early opportunities in the second stanza, the Phoenix took its first lead of the game in the 69^th minute. James Brace, who had entered the game for the first time in the 64^th minute, scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season to put the Phoenix up 1-0. The sophomore from Hartlepool, England, took a feed from Charles Howard on a cross and sent the shot past Cook into the back right corner of the net.

The momentum was swayed the other way however as the Chanticleers converted on the equalizer in the 78^th minute. Justin Portillo fired a shot that was blocked by the defense, but Elon could not clear it and Ribeiro converted on the rebound to tie the match at 1-1.

Elon continued to fight back and prevented the Chanticleers from jumping out in front for the rest of the match. The Phoenix meanwhile continued to put offensive pressure on CCU with Lovitz being one of the main catalysts. The midfielder earned a penalty kick after being taken down on the left side in the box resulting into the first penalty kick attempt of the year. The Wydmoor, Pa., native placed a low shot to the left on frame past Cook to put Elon up 2-1. 

The goal was Lovitz's third of the season and ended up being his third game-winner as the Phoenix held off the Chanticleers and gave Coastal Carolina its first loss since a 2-1 setback to then 15^th-ranked Charlotte on Sept. 6.
 
Both programs were knotted at 11-all in shots, but the Phoenix had a 9-7 advantage after halftime. Elon also narrowed the margin in corners, but was one shy of Coastal Carolina, 5-4.

Elon closes out the regular-season on Saturday, Nov. 2, with a home match versus Southern Conference foe and I-40 rival UNCG with kick slated for a 7 p.m. start. The Phoenix will also recognize its senior class prior to the match.