CLEMSON, S.C. – A last-minute goal from Clemson (6-2-2) pushed the Tigers past the Elon University men's soccer team (5-2-4) on Saturday night, 1-0, in a tightly contested match at Historic Riggs Field.  

Clemson scored the game's lone goal with nine seconds remaining to scratch out a victory. The Phoenix attempted eight second-half shots and generated several scoring chances against the Tigers, who are currently tied atop the ACC standings.

Jackson Leavitt made five saves in goal for the Phoenix. Elon held Clemson, the No. 10 scoring offense in the country entering Saturday, to just six shots on goal.

How It Happened

• Elon withstood consistent Clemson pressure throughout the first half. The Tigers took the first shot of the match in the 15th minute and attempted another a minute later that required Leavitt to make his first stop of the night.
• The Phoenix blocked three straight Clemson shots before Leavitt made his second save of the half in the 36th minute. After that Leavitt denial, Elon again blocked three consecutive Clemson attempts before Gyan Ransford missed the target for the Tigers with the final attempt of the period by either team.
• Clemson took the first two shots of the second half, with Leavitt stopping Ransford on an effort in the 48th minute.
• Elon began pushing back early in the second half. Martin Kozak and Connor Mucchetti both put shots on goal in the 50th minute that were stopped by Clemson goalkeeper Joseph Andema. In the 52nd minute, Dominik Renz put a shot on target that Andema also saved.
• Renz had a high-quality scoring chance in the 63rd minute but his low shot toward the near post from the left side of the box was stopped by Andema.
• Elon dodged a Clemson chance off a corner in the 74th minute. After the ball was crossed in by the Tigers, Mason Jimenez had a chance from close range that Leavitt secured to keep the match scoreless.
• The Phoenix had a look on a counterattack in the 81st minute. Renz intercepted a Clemson pass deep in Tigers territory and found an open Mucchetti, who worked his way into the box. The senior took a shot that was blocked by a Clemson defender.
• Elon created its best scoring chance of the night in the 84th minute. Mucchetti took a long range shot from outside the box that Andema stopped, but the rebound popped back out into play toward Renz, who had an uncontested run toward the ball. Renz got to the ball in time to take a shot that Andema stopped to keep the match scoreless.
• Clemson scored the game's lone goal with nine seconds remaining. Lukas Magnason converted off an assist from Ransford to give Clemson the 1-0 victory.

 
Notes & Numbers

• Renz and Mucchetti both attempted three shots to lead the Phoenix. All three of Renz's shots were on goal.
• Martin Kozak added two shots to round Elon's total of eight.
• The Tigers outshot the Phoenix, 21-8, on the night, but only held a 10-8 advantage in the second half. Both teams put six shots on goal.
• Clemson was just the third opponent to reach double-digit shots against Elon this season. The 21 shot attempts were the most against the Phoenix in a match this season.
• Carlos Levy, Majaliwa Msabaha, Mucchetti, Weston Jonke, Kozak, Magnus Jacobsen and Sumner Nenninger all logged the full 90 minutes for the Phoenix.
• Clemson takes a slight 4-3-1 advantage in the head-to-head against the Phoenix.

Up Next
Elon will face its second straight ACC opponent on Tuesday, as the Phoenix travels to Durham for a match against No. 9 Duke. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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