ELON – A header goal from
Charlie Kitch with four minutes remaining pushed the Elon University men's soccer team (6-2-5, 3-0-2 CAA) past UNCW (3-6-2, 2-3-0) on Saturday night at Rudd Field, as the Phoenix clipped the Seahawks, 1-0.
Kitch converted on a corner feed from
Martin Kozak, leaping and heading the ball past UNCW's goalkeeper for the night's lone goal. It was Kitch's third career goal and his first of the season.
The victory keeps Elon unbeaten in its first five conference matches and tied atop the CAA South standings with 11 points. The Phoenix has won both its regular season matchups against UNCW having previously beaten the Seahawks in August.
The win came on Elon's Senior Night, as the Phoenix celebrated its seven-man graduating class prior to the contest. Five of Elon's seven seniors appeared in the victory.
How It Happened
- The Seahawks fired four early shots, with none finding the target. Jahmir Flowers attempted Elon's first shot of the contest in the 18th minute.
- UNCW took the final shot of the half with just over five minutes remaining. In the closing seconds, UNCW's Osei Gyamfi picked up a yellow card.
- Elon had a pair of chances in the 52nd minute. After an initial shot by Dominik Renz was turned away, a second-effort bid was blocked by UNCW's backline.
- Gyamfi was assessed his second yellow card in the 61st minute, leaving the Seahawks down a man for the remainder of the contest.
- The Phoenix began applying consistent pressure on the shorthanded Seahawks. Three combined shots from Oscar Tonidandel and Sumner Nenninger both required saves by UNCW goalkeeper Trey Smiley.
- Elon earned a corner kick in the 86th minute. Kozak crossed the ball into the box from the corner and Kitch headed it to the far post past Smiley for the first goal of the night.
- The Phoenix closed out the shutout victory over the final four minutes, allowing no more UNCW shots.
Notes & Numbers
- Kitch's goal was his first of the season after scoring a pair a season ago. The marker was Elon's second latest goal in a match on the season.
- Kozak notched his fourth assist on the Kitch goal to extend his team lead. The junior is up to eight points on the season to lead the Phoenix.
- Nenninger, Kozak and Weston Jonke each attempted two shots to lead the Phoenix. Both of Nenninger's shots were on target.
- In total, Elon outshot UNCW, 12-7. The Phoenix put four shots on target.
- The clean sheet was Elon's eighth of the season and first since Sept. 30 against UNCG. Jackson Leavitt has started all eight of those shutout efforts in goal for the Phoenix.
- Seven of Elon's 10 starting field players went the full distance – Majaliwa Msabaha, Connor Mucchetti, Dominik Renz, Oscar Tonidandel, Weston Jonke, Kozak and Magnus Jacobsen.
- The match featured 27 combined fouls and six yellow cards.
- Prior to kickoff, Elon honored its seven-man graduating class in a senior ceremony. Jack Donlan, August Guinle, Carlos Levy, Msabaha, Mucchetti, Nenninger and Colin Veltri were all celebrated.
- Four of the seven seniors – Levy, Msabaha, Mucchetti and Nenninger – started for the Phoenix, with Guinle playing 23 minutes as a reserve.
- The win completes a two-match regular season sweep of UNCW for the Phoenix. Elon previously defeated the Seahawks, 2-1, in the conference opener for both teams on Aug. 30 at Wilmington.
- Elon is now unbeaten in its last seven regular season matches against CAA opponents. The win is the first in conference play for the Phoenix since Sept. 6 following draws against William & Mary and Campbell.
- With the win, the Phoenix remains unbeaten at Rudd this season (4-0-3). Elon is unbeaten in its last nine regular season CAA home matches.
Up Next
Elon returns to the road next Saturday for a CAA match at College of Charleston. The contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Stay Posted
For further coverage of Elon women's soccer, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonMSoccer), Instagram (elonmsoccer) and Facebook (Elon Men's Soccer).
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