RALEIGH, N.C. – Three unanswered second-half goals from No. 23 NC State handed the Elon University men's soccer team a 3-2 setback on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in a nonconference road match between the two teams at Dail Soccer Field.
 
Elon (6-8-1) saw its season-high three-match win streak come to an end with the loss to the Wolfpack, who improved to 8-3-3 on the season. The victory was also the first for the Wolfpack over the Phoenix since 2005.
 
The Rundown
Both teams went scoreless in the opening stanza, but each had some great looking opportunities in the first half. NC State's Kuda Muskwe found himself behind the maroon and gold defense and took on Phoenix keeper Peter Wentzel, but the netminder was able to make the save on the shot in the first minute.
 
In the 18^th minute, Elon found itself in its offensive third and sent in a cross to the box from Sam Bacon. The ball found the foot of John Walden, who fired a shot towards the bottom of the crossbar, but NC State's goalkeeper Vinnie Durand was able to corral the ball.
 
Wentzel found himself in the right place at the right time a couple of chances in the 30^th minute. A failed clearance by the Phoenix found the foot of NC State's Pepe Garcia, who fired a strike towards the Phoenix goal only to have Wentzel make a stop. The carom however found Garcia again, who took another shot but only to be turned away once more from Wentzel.
 
NC State would get two more shots on goal, but Wentzel was there each time as both squads went into the locker rooms in a scoreless battle. Wentzel would have five saves at intermission.
 
Coming out into the second half, Elon was the first to strike. The Phoenix took advantage of a Wolfpack turnover as Tuki Tayali found Jeppe Jordoson from near the top of the 18-yard box with Jordoson connecting on a strike from about 22 yards to put Elon on the scoreboard, 1-0, in the 48^th minute.
 
Just two minutes later, Elon increased its lead to 2-0. The Phoenix earned a corner kick with Bacon taking the honors. The redshirt freshman was able to curve the ball slightly past the defense and into the back right corner for his first goal of the season.
 
However just as quickly, NC State responded with a goal of its own less than a minute later. Gabriel Machado scored on a free kick from about 40 yards to trim the Phoenix's lead to 2-1.
 
NC State then leveled the match at two-all in the 57^th minute. Garcia found the equalizer on a header off a cross that found the corner of the net to deadlock the contest at 2-2.
 
Another set piece opportunity for the Wolfpack earned them the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal. Muskwe headed in a ball off another free kick in the 68^th minute that put the Phoenix down 3-2.
 
The Phoenix pushed numbers up in looking to level the match once again. However a second yellow card to Jordoson in the 71^st minute put the maroon and gold at a disadvantage that was tough to overcome with Elon falling to the Wolfpack, 3-2.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix hosts College of Charleston next Wednesday, Oct. 30, for its final home game of the regular season. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Rudd Field.