ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men's soccer team earned its first points during Colonial Athletic Association play as the Phoenix defeated Northeastern, 3-1, on Saturday night, Oct. 19, at Rudd Field.
 
The win was the third straight for the Phoenix, who improved to 6-7-1 on the season and 1-5 in CAA play. The Huskies move to 5-6-3 overall and 2-2-2 in the CAA standings. The victory also came on Senior Night as Elon honored its 11-member graduating senior class.
 
"I thought tonight we executed and prepared well," said Elon head coach Marc Reeves. "Scored some fantastic goals and was able to get all the seniors on the field and show our appreciation for them."
 
The Rundown
Elon seemed to have control of the match from the start, earning some chances early on. A shot by Kasper Lehm went wide for the Phoenix's first attack of the game in the fifth minute, but two minutes later Lehm assisted in the first score of the contest. The rookie found fellow first-year player Lewis Green on a cross with Green heading in his first goal of the season near the right post for the early 1-0 lead.
 
The Phoenix had another good look in the 16^th minute as Mattias Cooper played a long cross on the right side from John Walden. Cooper was able to shake his defender for a look at a goal, but the Huskies' defense was able to make a stop on the play.
 
Another shot on goal was turned away by Northeastern's defense in the 33^rd minute. Burl Shepherd and the Phoenix raced down the field with Shepherd playing the ball at the top of the box and maneuvered around a pair of defenders before firing a shot towards Huskies' goalkeeper Noah Abrams. Abrams was able to make his second save of the half as both teams went into the break with Elon ahead 1-0.
 
After a dominating opening half, Elon continued the pressure going into the second stanza and doubled its score in the 59^th minute. Cooper played the ball near the midfield and was able to beat the Huskies' defense down the left side. The Oslo, Norway, native took a chance on a shot from just above the left side of the box and connected on his first score of the year.
 
Elon added its third goal of the night on a penalty kick in the 70^th minute. Nick Adamczyk drew a foul against the defense and was able to slot it past the keeper for his first of the season.
 
Northeastern scored its goal in the 76^th minute as Timothy Ennin headed in a ball off a corner kick. The set piece goal was the fifth of the season for Ennin as the Huskies looked to rally from its 3-1 deficit, but Elon would hang on for the eventual win.
 
The Phoenix finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots including a 7-2 edge in the first half. Northeastern won the corner kick battle, 6-4, with both teams also being even in fouls called with eight each.
 
Up Next
Elon jumps out of league play for a contest at NC State next Tuesday, Oct. 22. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.