DURHAM, N.C. – Playing its highest-ranked opponent since 2017, the Elon University men's soccer team held a brief lead at No. 3 Duke, but ultimately fell to its intrastate foe in the contest, 3-1, on Tuesday night, Oct. 5, at Koskinen Stadium.
 
Elon moved to 5-5-1 overall on the season while the Blue Devils improved to 9-1 on the year.
 
The Rundown
Facing a Blue Devil team that had yielded only two goals all season going into the match, the Phoenix struck first in the opening stanza to take an early lead. Kasper Lehm sent a cross into the box from the left side and found Jack Edwards, who headed in his fourth goal of the season in the 16^th minute to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead.
 
Just over 10 minutes later, the Blue Devils leveled the match on a set piece. Duke earned a corner kick and after a brief scrum in the box, the Blue Devils' Lewis McGarvey was able to push the ball across the goal line to tie the match at one-all.
 
Duke moved in front later in the first half after the Phoenix was called for a handball inside the box in the 39^th minute. Nick Pariano connected on his second goal of the season on the penalty kick to put the Phoenix behind 2-1.
 
Elon nearly found the equalizer in the 40^th minute. Jack Dolk took a shot about 25 yards out that carried and hit the top of the crossbar before falling out of frame.
 
Both teams went into the half with Duke holding the Phoenix to just two shots while attempting 14 of its own. The Blue Devils also blanked the Phoenix in corners from the first period, 4-0.
 
Going into the second half, Elon continued to look for chances to level the match and had a good look at the 53^rd minute. Jeppe Jordoson got free for a shot attempt off a Phoenix free kick, but Duke's Eliot Hamill was there for the save.
 
The Phoenix held on to keep the match a one-score game defensively, but the Blue Devils' Thorleifur Ulfarsson got free to score his eighth goal of the season in the 77^th minute, putting Elon in a 3-1 deficit.
 
Elon had one more shot on goal in the 83^rd minute by Petro Klishch, but Hamill was there again with his second save to help Duke secure its fifth straight win.
 
Notes
• Duke had a 20-4 advantage on shots with seven coming on frame compared to three for the Phoenix in the match.
• The win was Duke's 13^th overall in the series, improving to 13-2-3 all-time over Elon.
• Duke was Elon's highest-ranked opponent since hosting No. 2 Wake Forest in 2017.
• Peter Wentzel made four saves in goal for the Phoenix while playing all 90 minutes.
• Sam Durand made the first start of his career for Elon, playing 33 minutes.
 
Up Next
Elon jumps back into Colonial Athletic Association play hosting UNCW at Rudd Field on Saturday, Oct. 9. That match is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.