DURHAM, N.C. – Posting its second clean sheet in as many games, the Elon University men's soccer team defeated San Diego, 3-0, in its final match at the John Rennie Nike Classic on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 28, at Duke University's Koskinen Stadium.
 
The Phoenix (2-0) had goal-scoring performances from Mason Duval, Majaliwa Msabaha and Ryan Manna with each scoring their first collegiate goal.
 
Elon had three players earn All-Tournament Team accolades in Scott Vatne, Ryan Bilichuk and Franc Gamiz Quer.
 
"Give our team a lot of credit," said Elon head coach Marc Reeves. "They played a really good San Diego team who has some really good and mature players. To come out and get a clean sheet against them was good for our group as we look forward to building this towards our home opener versus Northeastern next Saturday."
 
The Rundown
• Both teams spent the first 15 minutes of the match feeling each other out before the first shot of the game was taken by Elon's Calle Edelstam near the 16^th-minute mark that was blocked by the San Diego defense.
• Elon had both shots on target in the opening stanza. Duval took a shot from the left side at the 23^rd minute that was stopped by the keeper. Jack Dolk added another look in the 25^th minute, but it was also corralled by the netminder.
• The Phoenix got on the board in the second half to break the scoring stalemate. Jannik Videbaek sent a through ball down the pitch to a streaking Duval, who was able to sneak the ball past the keeper for the 1-0 lead.
• Elon doubled its lead in the 77^th minute. Vatne beat the defense down the left side before sending a cross towards the box. San Diego deflected the ball back out, but the carom found the foot of Msabaha, who fired a shot off the touch that snuck inside the left post for his first career goal.
• Elon added its third and final goal in the 89^th minute. Attacking off a counter, Vatne sent a ball into the box where Manna headed in his first career goal with 10 seconds left to conclude the Phoenix scoring for the 3-0 win.
 
Notes
• This is Elon's first time going 2-0 to start the season since 2015.
• San Diego outshot the Phoenix, 14-9, but the Phoenix had six shots on frame compared to four for the Toreros.
• Bilichuk had four saves in goal for the Phoenix for his second shutout of the young season.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix will host Northeastern for its home and Colonial Athletic Association opener on Saturday, Sept. 3. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time at Rudd Field.