CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A goal scored in the sixth minute opening half put the Elon University men's soccer team in an early deficit as the Phoenix fell at intrastate rival Charlotte, 1-0, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 18, at Transamerica Field.
 
The loss put the Phoenix overall ledger 2-8-3 on the season. Charlotte improved to 8-2-1 on the year.
 
The Rundown
The 49ers scored in the opening six minutes of the match. Charlotte earned a corner kick off a shot and was able to convert off the set piece to go in front 1-0.
 
Elon nearly leveled the match inside the 14^th minute. Ben Rosenblatt had a shot blocked that was sent out of play for a corner kick. The maroon and gold was able to get its first shot on goal with Scott Vatne taking a shot into the upper 90 of the goal, but it was saved by the keeper.
 
Charlotte had a couple of chances to double its lead in the 34^th minute. Aboubacar Traore had a look on goal saved by Jackson Leavitt resulting in another corner kick. The 49ers took a pair of shots off the set piece with one of those chances coming on target from the foot of Filip Jauk but Leavitt made another save.
 
Just over a minute into the second stanza, the Phoenix almost got the equalizer goal. Victor Stromsten played a ball to Luca Erhardt, who was streaking up the field breaking free of the defense. Erhardt took shot just inside the box, but the ball was corralled by the keeper.
 
The Phoenix nearly added its first goal on a counterattack in the 68^th minute. Erhardt sent a cross into the box from the left side, which found the head of Stromsten over the defense. The striker however could not get much on the ball as Charlotte's netminder was able to make another save.
 
That would serve as Elon's last shot on goal as Charlotte held on for the 1-0 win over its interstate foe.
 
Notes
• Charlotte held a 14-6 advantage in shots, but a slim 4-3 lead in shots on target.
• The 49ers increased their series lead to 9-3-1 all-time over the Phoenix. Charlotte remains unbeaten against Elon in eight of its past nine matches in the series.
• Leavitt made his first collegiate start in goal for the Phoenix. The Allen, Texas, native had three saves in between the posts for Elon.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix closes out its road swing with a visit to College of Charleston on Saturday, Oct. 21. That contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff.