ELON, N.C. – Behind a second-half goal from junior Jeppe Jordoson, the Elon University men's soccer team defeated Delaware 1-0 in its Colonial Athletic Association league opener on Saturday night, Sept. 11, at Rudd Field.
 
The victory snapped a two-game losing skid for the Phoenix, who improved to 3-2 overall on the season while earning three points going to 1-0 on the early CAA ledger. The Blue Hens fell to 0-4 overall with an 0-1 mark in league play.
 
Elon head coach Marc Reeves also earned his 100^th career win. The 11^th-year head coach moved to 100-72-29 in his career.
 
The Rundown
Neither team had much action going during the first 35 minutes of the match with only one combined shot taken between the two squads which came off the head of Elon junior Mason Duval in the 28^th minute on a corner kick. The attempt went wide right as the match remained scoreless.
 
Delaware put the pressure on in the 34^th minute with its first real chance of the match. The Blue Hens' Orri Thorhallsson found himself free for a shot just inside the box, but Phoenix keeper Peter Wentzel was able to put a hand on it for the save.
 
The Blue Hens saw another opportunity for its first points of the match as Tiago Santos played the ball off a Phoenix deflection near midfield and moved towards Elon's defensive third. The Porto, Portugal, native fired a shot from around 20 yards out, but Wentzel was able to get his fingertips on the ball to deflect it away off the crossbar.
 
Elon's best chance of the opening half came on a play inside the 43^rd minute. Duval was able to force a Delaware turnover near the top of the 18 and slipped a pass to his left to Victor Stromsten, who faced the keeper one-on-one. The netminder was able to deflect Stromsten shot away while Kasper Lehm's rebound follow went wide.
 
Both teams combined for six shots in the opening stanza with Elon leading 4-2. The Blue Hens had more luck with set pieces as Delaware held a 4-2 advantage in corners in the first period.
 
The Phoenix finally broke the shutout in the 54^th minute. Delaware was whistled for a handball just outside the box, which set the Phoenix up for a free kick. Senior Christian Lauenborg took the short kick to Jordoson, who was able to push the ball over the defending wall and the keeper for his second goal of the year and a 1-0 lead for the Phoenix.
 

53' | G??AAALLL #ELON!!!

Jeppe Jordoson scores off the free kick to put the Phoenix ahead 1-0!

1-0 | #ELONvUD pic.twitter.com/DJ3znHmsTw

— Elon Men's Soccer (@ElonMSoccer) September 12, 2021

Elon tried to double its lead in the 67^th minute with Stromsten and Jordson attempting back-to-back shots, but both were turned away by the keeper. Delaware's final on-target shot for the equalizer came inside the 78^th minute as Santos pushed a shot towards the top half of the goal, but Wentzel made the diving stop for his third save to keep the clean sheet intact.
 

78' | What a save by Peter Wentzel! Keeps the match at 1-0 for the Phoenix!

1-0 | #ELONvUD pic.twitter.com/IvWZf0Uvj3

— Elon Men's Soccer (@ElonMSoccer) September 12, 2021

The match ended with the Phoenix winning the overall shot battle, 9-8, with four of those coming on target compared to three for the Blue Hens. Duval led the Phoenix with three shots while Stromsten and Jordoson each had two with both of their attempts coming on goal.
 
Wentzel had three saves in between the posts for the Phoenix while adding this second shutout of the season.
 
Up Next
Elon begins a three-match road swing with a trip to Triad rival High Point next Wednesday, Sept. 15. That match is slated for a 7 p.m. start time.