Elon, N.C.- Ryan Manna had not scored a goal since Aug. 28, 2022, but a 77^th minute goal from Manna was enough to lift the Phoenix over Grand Canyon Monday night at Rudd Field. Colin Veltri scored in his second straight match with a first half that drew the Phoenix level in the 21^st minute.
 
This marks Elon's fourth straight win to begin the season. The Phoenix have claimed at least a draw in nine straight matches and won seven straight regular season games dating back to last season.
 
How It Happened

• Both teams came out hot early, trading possession in the midfield and penetrating each team's back line.
• Grand Canyon found the back of the net in the eighth minute to draw first blood.
• Elon would find a goal of their own off the boot of Colin Veltri. Veltri scored the goal, but August Guinle made the play surging down the left wing and finding Veltri's left foot with a left-footed cross.
• Each team would only muster one more shot in the half after Veltri's goal before going into the half all squared at one.
• The Phoenix pilled on the pressure from set pieces at the beginning of the half with Jack Donlan snapping a header just wide of the right post, before a headed effort found the GCU keeper's gloves.
• Veltri put another shot on target in the 61^st minute with a curling effort from outside of the box.
• The Lopes forced the first save of the night out of Tomasz Wroblewski in the 62^nd minute, but the shot was easily smothered by the Elon keeper.
• After a Grand Canyon shot that was blocked Elon, the Phoenix ran the other way on the counterattack. A long ball found the head of Victor Stromsten who played it through to Ryan Manna who found the back of the net to the bottom right-hand corner of the goal.
• GCU made efforts in the final 13 minutes, but none could find the target as Elon held on for the 2-1 win over the Lopes.

 
 
Notes and Stats

• The Phoenix have started the season 4-0 following tonight's win over the Lopes. The win over Grand Canyon is the first in program history and Elon leads the all-time series, 1-0.
• Elon's streak of not allowing a goal lasted 741 minutes before giving up a goal in the eighth minute to the Lopes.  
• Elon is 4-0-0 for the first time to open a season since the Phoenix began the 2015 campaign with seven straight victories.
• Colin Veltri scored in the second straight game for the Phoenix. Veltri is now second on the team in points with seven with two goals and three assists.  
• Ryan Manna scored his first goal since missing last season. His 77^th minute goal was his first since he scored in Elon's victory over San Diego early in the 2022 season.
• August Guinle and Victor Stromsten both picked up assists in the win. Both now have multiple assists on the season with Stromsten tied for the team lead with three.
• Tomasz Wroblewski claimed a save and earned another win in between the sticks. Elon has won its last seven regular season games and Elon has outscored their opponents 19-1 in those games.
• The Phoenix backline of Guinle, Sumner Nenninger, Jack Donlan and Charlie Kitch all played 90 minutes Monday night. Seven different outfield players played the full 90 minutes.
• Marc Reeves picked up his 52^nd win as Elon head coach in the win over Grand Canyon. Counting his wins at Radford Reeves also collects his 127^th career win as a head coach.

 
Up Next

• The Phoenix will return to Rudd Field to begin conference play against the Drexel Dragons on Saturday. Kickoff will be at 2 pm.