DURHAM, N.C. – Behind a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes, the Elon University men's soccer team rallied from a 1-0 first-half deficit to earn a 2-1 victory over Merrimack in its season-opener on Friday, August 27, at Koskinen Stadium on the campus of Duke University.
 
Elon (1-0) used second-half scores from freshman Scott Vatne and a game-winning header from Jack Edwards to pull out the victory over the Warriors (0-1). The Phoenix outshot the Roadrunners in the contest, 12-10, including a 5-4 advantage on shots on target.
 
 "It was a typical opening game," said Elon head coach Marc Reeves. "Merrimack is a very experienced team with some talented players, but I thought we dealt with them pretty well. The goal we gave up was poor on our part but felt we created a lot of chances in the first half. The free kick from Scott was great and Jack Edwards has been doing well during the preseason so just really pleased to get the win."
 
The Rundown
The Warriors took the lead first in the opening half. Merrimack's Stefano Pesenti was able to put his team ahead 1-0 after causing a Phoenix turnover near the top of the box and slotting the ball past the defense into the back right corner of the net in the 15^th minute.
 
Elon had its first shot on goal nearly two minutes later as Jalen Weatherspoon faced the keeper one-on-one after a Merrimack turnover deep into the Phoenix's offensive third. Weatherspoon attempted a header over the netminder, but the Warriors' Alvaro Rodriguez was able to corral it quickly out of the air.
 
The Warriors nearly went up 2-0 as Merrimack got free for a shot on goal in the 30^th minute, but Elon keeper Peter Wentzel made his first save of the contest.
 
The Phoenix got one more shot on goal in the first half from Edwards but went into the half trailing Merrimack in overall shots, 6-5, and in corners, 5-3.
 
Elon came out of the break looking for that evasive equalizer, firing four shots in the first 25 minutes of action in the second half. Only Mason Duval's attempt in the 52^nd minute was on target however as Rodriguez gathered the ball to keep the shutout intact for Merrimack.
 
The Phoenix finally joined the Warriors on the board near the 78^th minute as Ryan Manna drew a foul just outside the box to force a free kick. Vatne took the assignment and put the ball on frame into the back left corner to knot the contest at 1-1.
 
Almost two minutes later, Edwards gave the Phoenix the lead late in the contest. Kasper Lehm sent a cross from the left wing, finding Edwards who was near the back right post. The senior striker headed the ball into the back left corner to make the score 2-1 in favor of Elon.
 
Elon held the Warriors from making a real threat for the remaining 10 minutes, holding Merrimack without a shot to preserve the 2-1 win.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix hosts Liberty in its final game of its opening weekend, welcoming the Flames to Rudd Field on Monday, Aug. 30. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.