Elon, N.C.- Ryan Manna found the back of the net in the 41^st minute to give the Elon Phoenix (8-3-1) a 1-0 lead over the #9/16 Duke Blue Devils (5-2-3). The Blue Devils found two goals in the first nine minutes of the second half to take the 2-1 lead and ultimately the win over the Phoenix at Rudd Field, Tuesday night.
 
Ryan Manna picked up his second goal of the season in the loss while Scott Vatne added the assist. Vatne grabs his sixth assist of the season and now leads the team with 18 points.
 
How It Happened

• The first chance of the game was made by the Phoenix after being awarded a free kick. Vatne lined up the free kick, but the goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save to keep the game goalless.
• Duke controlled possession for the first 25 minutes of the first half, but the Phoenix were able to create stronger chances with Sumner Nenninger. Nenninger charged up the field and his shot took a deflection and forced a reflex save from Duke's keeper.
• After a foul in front of a ruckus Elon crowd, Scott Vatne stood over a free kick. His ball found the head of Ryan Manna who beat the keeper to the ball and put it in an empty net to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
• The Blue Devils answered quickly out of the halftime break with a goal that equalized the match barely beating the hand of Wroblewski.
• Duke took the lead in the 54^th minute with a curling, outside the box effort that nicked off the fingers of Elon's netminder into the back of the net.
• Both teams would trade possession and chances after Duke took the lead.
• Elon was able to push in the final five minutes looking for the equalizer. Vatne served a corner with ten seconds left, but Elon couldn't find the back of the net and fell to the top 10 Blue Devils.

 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix drops to 8-3-1 after the loss against Duke.
• Elon outshot Duke 10-9 on the match and the two had the same number of shots on goal (5).
• Ryan Manna bagged his second goal of the season with his first being the game-winner in Elon's win over Grand Canyon.
• Scott Vatne's assist was his sixth of the season and his 18 points continue to lead the squad.
• The listed attendance was 898, the most at a game for the men's soccer program this season.

 
Up Next

• The Phoenix will return to Rudd Field this Sunday as they welcome Cape Fear Community College for a match. Kickoff with the Sea Devils will be at 2 pm.