MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – A goal by senior Jack Edwards in the 27^th minute was enough to propel the Elon University men's soccer team to a 1-0 shutout victory at College of Charleston on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Ralph Lundy Field at Patriots Point.
 
Edwards scored his team-best third goal of the season as the Phoenix improved to 4-3 overall and remained perfect in CAA play at 2-0. The Cougars fell to 2-2-2 and 0-2 in the CAA.
 
The Rundown
Both teams combined for seven shot attempts in the first 30 minutes of the match with a pair being on target from CofC's Lucas Cedermark in the 23^rd minute and the Phoenix's Petro Klishch in the 28^th minute. Both shots were saved however to keep the match scoreless.
 
Edwards got the Phoenix on the scoreboard just inside the 27^th minute as the senior directed a low line shot to the bottom right of the goal off a feed from Klishch. Edwards' third goal of the year put the Phoenix ahead 1-0.
 
Elon continued to put pressure on the Cougars for the remainder of the opening half. The Phoenix ended the first stanza with a 6-3 advantage on shots while winning the shots on target battle, 3-1.
 
The Phoenix had four chances to go up 2-0 over the Cougars in the second half. Jake Kelly had Elon's first real look to double its lead in the second period with a shot in the 49^th minute, but the try was knocked away by CofC's netminder Cameron Smith.
 
Smith made three more saves to keep the Cougars within one score, making saves on shots from Jalen Weatherspoon in the 53^rd minute and on Edwards in the 59^th minute. Kelly took Elon's final shot on frame in the 72^nd minute, but Smith was there for his sixth save.
 
The Cougars however saw only one great chance for the equalizer in the second half as Jake Nicholson had a look in the 66^th minute, but that was corralled by Phoenix keeper Peter Wentzel. Charleston took two more shots in the match, but neither were on frame as the game ended with the Phoenix 1-0 victory.
 
Notes
• This is the first time that the Phoenix has started league play unbeaten in its first two matches since 2017 and the first 2-0 CAA start since 2015.
• Elon ended the match with a season-high 18 shot attempts and tied its season-best in shots on target with seven. Edwards, Kelly, Weatherspoon and Ryan Manna led the Phoenix with three shots each.
•  Wentzel made two saves while collecting his third shutout of the season in goal for the Phoenix.
 
Up Next
Elon concludes its three-match road trip with a visit to Radford next Wednesday, Sept. 22. That match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff.