ELON – The Elon University men's soccer team (7-6-2, 4-1-3 CAA) secured the CAA South Division title Saturday night with a 1-0 victory over William & Mary (2-10-4, 1-6-1 CAA) in the regular season finale for both teams at Rudd Field.
Jordin Wilson netted his first career goal in the 72nd minute to give the Phoenix the lead, converting on assists from
Dominik Renz and
August Guinle. Elon held on from there for the one-goal win.
In goal,
Jackson Leavitt made five saves for his 10th shutout of the season. The Phoenix finished the regular season without conceding a goal at Rudd Field, posting clean sheets in all eight of its home matches.
With the division title, Elon clinched the No. 1 seed from the South Division for the CAA Tournament and will host a semifinal next Sunday at Rudd. The Phoenix will face the winner of the quarterfinal between UNCW and Campbell.
How It Happened
- Wilson had the first shot attempt of the night, missing wide left on an effort in the third minute.
- A long-distance shot from Joe Taylor in the 22nd minute forced William & Mary goalkeeper Karan Sobti to leap for a stop. Charlie Kitch and Wilson both attempted shots shortly after Taylor's that barely missed the target.
- Leavitt made his first two saves in the 31st and 32nd minutes, respectively. The second stop required Leavitt to dive across the crease to stop a header from Gabe Ruitenberg.
- Colin Veltri attempted the final shot of a scoreless half by either team in the 34th minute.
- Leavitt made another crucial save in the early stages of the second half, jumping to catch a piece of a rising shot by Sam Delgado.
- Leavitt stopped Ruitenberg two more times in the second half. The first save came in the 57th minute with the second denial coming in the 70th minute.
- In the 72nd minute, Elon earned a throw in that Guinle hurled up the near sideline, giving Renz an opportunity to run down the wing. Renz centered the ball to Wilson at the top of the box, who kicked a low rolling shot with his right foot to the left corner of the box to break the scoreless tie.
- Elon continued its pressure after Wilson's goal, attempting the next five shots. Wilson put another shot on goal in the 86th minute that was stopped by Sobti.
- Diogo Branco attempted the final shot of the night for William & Mary in the 88th minute, missing high. The Phoenix managed the match over the final minutes for the victory.
Notes & Numbers
- Wilson's goal was the first of his college career. The junior scored three points in Elon's two matches against William & Mary this season, as he assisted on Martin Kozak's goal in Williamsburg on Sept. 20.
- Wilson took a game-high five shots and led the Phoenix with two shots on goal.
- Renz had the primary helper on Wilson's goal, his first point since Sept. 13 versus USC Upstate. The forward is up to eight points on the campaign, just two behind Kozak for the team lead.
- With the secondary assist on Wilson's goal, Guinle tallied his first point of the campaign.
- Elon outshot the Tribe, 12-8, on the night. William & Mary put five shots on goal compared to just three by the Phoenix.
- Leavitt made five saves to cap off a season-long clean sheet at Rudd Field. The graduate student goalkeeper turned away all 18 shots on goal he faced at home in the regular season.
- The shutout was Leavitt's 10th of the season. He is tied for the most shutouts in the country this season.
- Connor Mucchetti, Weston Jonke, Kozak, Magnus Jacobsen and Charlie Kitch all logged the full 90 minutes for Elon.
- Elon successfully defended seven William & Mary corner kicks in the contest.
- The Phoenix finished the regular season with an unbeaten 5-0-3 record at Rudd.
- After winning two of the last three CAA regular season titles, Elon clinched the first ever CAA South Division title Saturday. The Phoenix finishes the regular season with 15 points, one clear of second-place Campbell.
Up Next
Elon will host a CAA Tournament semifinal at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9. The Phoenix will welcome either Campbell or UNCW to Rudd Field.
Stay Posted
For further coverage of Elon men's soccer, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonMSoccer), Instagram (elonmsoccer) and Facebook (Elon Men's Soccer).
--ELON--
