ELON, N.C. – A goal scored early in the match from senior Mason Duval was the difference maker for the Elon University men's soccer to earn its first three points in Colonial Athletic Association play Athletic Association play. The Phoenix defeated Stony Brook, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 10, at Rudd Field.
 
In the first-ever matchup between the two schools, the Phoenix notched its third clean sheet of the season to improve to 3-1 overall and leveled its CAA ledger to 1-1. Stony Brook fell to 3-2 overall and to 1-1 in league play as the Seawolves saw its three-match win streak snapped.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• The Phoenix was on the attack quite early against the Seawolves, scoring a goal just two minutes into the match. Vemund Hole Vik sent a cross down the right side to Duval, who was able to get behind the Stony Brook defense and faced the keeper one-on-one. A misplay by the netminder led to Duval facing an open goal and converting on his second score of the season to put the Phoenix up 1-0.
• Elon kept the attack going throughout the opening stanza. The Phoenix raced down the field on a counter opportunity in the ninth minute with Jeppe Jordoson finding Kasper Lehm with a look on the left corner near the top of the box. Lehm attempted a low shot towards the near post, but the keeper made the save.
• Duval had another chance in the 16^th minute to double Elon's score. Great pressure defense from Marco Vesterholm forced a Stony Brook turnover deep in Elon's offensive third. Vesterholm fed Duval near the top of the box with Duval adding a low shot toward the post, but Stony Brook's Curtis Copenhaver was there again for the save.
• Elon ended the first half with a 9-2 advantage on shots. The Phoenix also won the corner kick battle, 4-0, from the opening stanza.
• The Phoenix's best look in the second period came at the 48^th minute. Elon earned a free kick and sent the ball inside the box where it was headed out of play. Majaliwa Msabaha found the carom just inside the top of the box where he launched a shot that Copenhaver had to make a diving stop to force it out of play.
 
NOTES
• Elon outshot Stony Brook 17-8 in the match overall and also held the Seawolves without a shot on goal in the match. Both teams entered the match tied for the conference lead in goals per match at 2.00.
• Four players had multi-shot attempts for the Phoenix with Duval leading the way with four. Msabaha and Vatne had three each while Calle Edelstam added two shots off the bench.
• Duval tied Vatne with the team-lead in goals with his second on the young season. After not scoring a goal in his first three seasons at Elon, Duval has registered a goal in each of his past two matches.
• Hole Vik added his second assist of the season in the match, leading the team in that category.
• Graduate student Gustavo Atencio made his first start of the season for the Phoenix. The San Martin, Argentina, native played 59 total minutes and took one shot.
 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix takes its first true road trip of the season when it travels to former conference rival Furman next Tuesday, Sept. 13. That match is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start time.