ELON, N.C. – Despite a career-high seven saves from netminder Peter Wentzel, the Elon University men's soccer team suffered its first blemish during Colonial Athletic Association play, falling 2-0 to James Madison on Saturday night, Sept. 25, at Rudd Field.
 
The setback pushed the Phoenix's overall record on the season to 4-4 while also moving its CAA ledger to 2-1. JMU improved to 7-2 overall and remained perfect in the CAA at 3-0. The victory was also the third straight for the Dukes over the Phoenix in the series, with James Madison moving to 3-2-2 all-time.
 
The Rundown
The Dukes took the lead early in the first period just inside the eighth minute. A pair of passes from Melker Anshelm and Josiah Blanton eventually led to Clay Obara beating the Phoenix defense for his third goal of the season to put JMU ahead 1-0.
 
James Madison remained the team in control for the majority of the first half, holding the Phoenix to four shots while firing nine versus the maroon and gold defense. Wentzel however kept Elon within distance as the keeper turned away five of those chances to keep it a one-score game going into the half.
 
Seven minutes into the second half, Elon had its best chance for the equalizer. Jalen Weatherspoon was able to beat the JMU defense and faced the keeper one-on-one and tried to fire a shot through the legs of keeper Martin Leu. Leu however made his first save of the night to keep the Phoenix scoreless.
 
Three minutes later, Elon again caught the Dukes' defense out of position as Christian Lauenborg took a header that looked to have a clear path to level the match. A JMU defender was able to clear it before it crossed the goal line to keep James Madison's lead intact.
 
Wentzel also turned away a pair of shots in the 59^th minute and the 69^th minute, his sixth and seventh saves of the evening. A goal off a corner kick from Luca Erhardt however doubled James Madison's lead to 2-0 in the 82^nd minute.
 
Elon took two more shots in the final minutes, but James Madison held on the earn the three points with the 2-0 win.
 
Notes
• Elon won the overall shot battle (17-16) after taking a 13-7 advantage in shots in the second half. The Phoenix also held an 8-6 advantage on corners and had five shots on goal.
• Lauenborg and Jeppe Jordoson led the Phoenix with three shots each. Lauenborg, Weatherspoon, Calle Edelstam, Petro Klishch and Ryan Manna each had one shot on goal.
• Wentzel surpassed his previous single-game high of five save, which he accomplished twice during the 2019 season.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix continues its quick homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 29, hosting Campbell at Rudd Field. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.