Elon, N.C.- Senior Scott Vatne found the ball at his left foot with 50 seconds left to play and buried a shot into the bottom right corner to give Elon a 1-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast. The Phoenix move to 1-0 on the young season following their win on Thursday night.  
 
For the fourth straight season, Vatne scored in the opening game of the season with this goal coming with just 46 seconds left to play. Colin Veltri and Charlie Kitch both assisted on the goal to pick up their first assists for the maroon & gold.
 
 
How It Happened

• Elon started off strong with two efforts early from Colin Veltri, yet a shot could not find the target.
• Teams traded shots and fouls throughout the first part of the opening half before a one-on-one opportunity from Veltri nearly gave the Phoenix an early lead.
• Majaliwa Msabaha and Victor Stromsten put in efforts on the goal late in the first half, but the game remained 0-0.
• A late first half effort from FGCU put their first shot on goal but goalkeeper Tomasz Wroblewski made an acrobatic save to keep the score even.
• The Eagles began the first half with a shot that missed wide and a number of fouls within the first 10 minutes of the half.
• Phoenix wingers Ryan Manna and Jordin Wilson both put shots on goal halfway through the second half with one-on-one opportunities that were stuffed by goalkeeper Oliver Weng.
• Following a Phoenix throw in, Vatne found himself inside the six-yard box, but his header was saved by Weng to keep the game scoreless.
• With just a minute to play, a deep throw in from Manna found several feet in the box before finding the boot of Veltri but was blocked. After a wicked deflection, the ball found Vatne's foot, and he buried it in the bottom right corner to give the Phoenix the win.

 
 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix have claimed wins in five of their last six season openers.
• Elon has not allowed a goal in 553 minutes dating back to last season.
• Scott Vatne has scored in his last four season openers, making it four straight years with a goal on the opening day.
• Vatne has scored in his last two regular season games following a goal on Thursday night, coinciding with his goal against UNCW to end last season.
• Colin Veltri led the Phoenix in shots with five and picked up an assist on the Vatne goal.
• Charlie Kitch picked up his first assist at Elon and played the full 90 minutes for the Phoenix.
• Both fullbacks, August Guinle and Sumner Nenninger both played the full 90 minutes for Elon.
• Tomasz Wroblewski claimed his fourth consecutive regular season shutout in the win, with Elon outscoring their opponents 9-0 in those four games.

 
 
Up Next

• The Phoenix will return to Rudd Field August 26^th where they will welcome Radford University. Kick off will be at 7 pm.