ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men's soccer team posted its sixth clean sheet of the season as the Phoenix played longtime Piedmont Triad rival High Point to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday night, Sept. 28 at Rudd Field.
 
The result moved the Phoenix to 6-2-1 on the season while the Panthers went to 3-2-3.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• High Point was the more aggressive team to the start contest, blanking the Phoenix in shots 5-0 in the first 22 minutes. The Panthers' best look during that stretch came inside the 14^th minute as Sebastian Chalbaud fired a shot from about 25 yards to force Ryan Bilichuk to make his first save of the match.
• Bilichuk came up big again for the Phoenix near the 19^th minute mark. The Panthers' Davis Biggerstaff took another long shot for High Point from 25-plus yards, but the Phoenix netminder once again preserved the chances of the ball hitting the back of the net.
• The Phoenix's best opportunities in the opening stanza came at the 24^th minute of play. Mason Duval and Scott Vatne both had looks inside the box that were blocked by the Panthers' defense before the Phoenix reset on the play. Marco Vesterholm swung a shot from the top right of the box that nearly found the upper left corner of the net, but High Point's keeper Trent Holden was able to knock it out of play.
 • Elon added its second shot on goal just after the start of the second session. Duval received a pass from Kasper Lehm and fired a low strike at the six-yard area, but his effort was saved initially by Holden before the ball was deflected out of play.
• The Phoenix nearly found that evasive first goal at the 66^th minute. Duval was able to save the ball off the goal line and sent a low through ball across the net with Scott Vatne streaking towards it at the far post. Vatne's sliding shot however went off target to keep the match scoreless.
• Calle Edelstam squared up a shot in the 73^rd minute, but also was denied by Holden in goal. Duval followed with the Phoenix's last attempt on target in the 82^nd minute, but it was also saved.
• Elon had the last effort of the match after drawing a foul just outside the box under a minute to go. Jeppe Jordoson's free kick in the final seconds trailed off target as the Phoenix and the Panthers concluded with the scoreless draw.
 
NOTES
• Bilichuk came away with two saves for the game while his counterpart Holden had four saves.
• Elon, who came into the match tied for the national lead in shutouts, has six clean sheets through nine matches. The Phoenix last had six shutouts through its first nine games in 2017.
• The Phoenix outshot the Panthers, 14-9, and were dominant in the battle of corners, 8-2.
• The draw moved the all-time series record to 30-13-13 in favor of the Panthers. This was the first tie in the series since both programs battled to a 1-1 result at High Point in 2016.
 
UP NEXT
Elon is back in action in Colonial Athletic Association play on Saturday, Oct. 1, hosting Drexel at Rudd Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.