BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Elon University men's soccer team dropped its first contest of the season as the Phoenix was defeated by Central Arkansas, 1-0, in its opening game of the Soccer for the Cure Tournament at UAB on Friday, Sept. 3.
 
The Phoenix moved to 2-1 on the young season and saw its four-match win streak dating back to last season snapped. Central Arkansas improved to 3-0.
 
The Rundown
The Bears were the more aggressive team in the opening half, outshooting the Phoenix 8-5 with four of those attempts on target. Elon was held without a shot on goal in the opening stanza but held the match scoreless until UCA's Alberto Suarez connected on his third goal of the season near the 42^nd minute to put the Bears up 1-0 before halftime.
 
In the second period, Elon was the team more on the attack, firing four shots in the first 25 minutes of action while holding UCA to just one. Two of those attempts were on frame with back-to-back chances from Jake Kelly and Vemund Hole Vik in the 67^th minute. Central Arkansas's netminder Zach Schawl turned away from tries however to keep the clean sheet intact.
 
Elon would get one opportunity to capture the evasive equalizer, but Mason Duval's shot in the 82^nd minute was corralled by Schawl. The Phoenix got off two more shots, but none would find the back of the net as UCA held on for the 1-0 victory.
 
The Phoenix ended the match with a 13-11 shot advantage over the Bears, with Central Arkansas leading in shots on goal, 5-3. Both teams were deadlocked in corners with four with Elon leading UCA in fouls, 8-6.
 
Duval led the Phoenix in shots with a game-high three followed by Hole Vik with two. Peter Wentzel had four saves in goal for the maroon and gold while his counterpart Schawl had three saves.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix closes out the Soccer for the Cure Tournament with a matchup versus UTRGV on Sunday, Sept. 5. That contest is slated for a 12:30 p.m. ET start.