WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Elon University men's soccer team posted its fifth shutout in six games as the 18^th ranked Phoenix earned a 1-0 victory at No. 7 Wake Forest on Tuesday night, Sept. 15, at Spry Stadium.

The maroon and gold improved to 6-0 while handing the Demon Deacons (5-1) its first loss on the year. Elon's Eduardo Alvarez's penalty kick goal at the 40^th minute made the difference for the Phoenix in its fourth straight win overall over Wake Forest.

"It was a fantastic result tonight and I'm so proud of the players," said Elon head coach Chris Little. "Wake Forest is an fantastic team and have excellent players. I was really pleased with the first half and thought we played really well. The second half we didn't as well as we would have wanted, but I was proud of the way that they defended because this is not an easy place to get a win or a clean sheet."

The Rundown
Wake Forest was whistled for a handball inside the box at the 40^th minute setting up Alvarez for the penalty kick try. The senior was able to push the ball past the keeper to put the Phoenix up 1-0 before the end of the opening stanza.
 
Elon led overall in shots in the first half, 5-3, with the Phoenix having the lone shot on goal. Both squads were also knotted at 3-3 in corners.
 
Wake Forest turned up the pressure offensively in the second period with eight shots while holding the Phoenix to none. Elon however defended well throughout the period and escaped the match with a 1-0 victory.  

Match Notes

• This was the Phoenix's third straight win over a ranked Wake Forest team dating back to the 2012 season. This is also Elon's third win over a top-10 ranked opponent since 2013.
• Wake Forest won the shot battle, 11-5, after holding the Phoenix to zero shots in the second half. The Demon Deacons were also 5-4 on corners and had a 5-1 advantage in shots on target.
• Redshirt freshman keeper Matthew Jegier had five saves while earning his fifth clean sheet of the season in the full 90 minutes in goal. He moves into the top-10 in program history for shutouts in a single season.
• Alvarez's goal was his third of the year, moving him into a tie for the team lead with senior Caue Da Silva and rookie Jaiden Fortune.
• The Phoenix improved to 5-8-1 all-time versus Wake Forest.
• In the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, only four teams were perfect on the season; No. 1 Creighton, No. 7 Wake Forest, No. 8 Oregon State and No. 20 Elon. 

Up Next
The Phoenix opens Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday, Sept. 18, as Elon hosts Drexel at Rudd Field. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.