GREENSBORO – The Elon men's soccer team (9-3-7) saw its historic season come to an end Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 4-3 in penalty kicks to No. 20 UNCG (12-4-5) after the teams played to a scoreless draw at UNCG Soccer Stadium.

The Phoenix held UNCG, one of the nation's top 15 scoring offenses, scoreless for the second time this season behind another strong outing from goalkeeper Jackson Leavitt, who made six saves. It was Elon's 12th clean sheet of the season, all of which were anchored by Leavitt.

Elon, the 2025 CAA men's soccer champion, successfully defended the Spartans' potent attack for 110 minutes of game time, holding strong despite a 23-4 advantage in shots for UNCG. The Spartans advanced after going 4-for-5 in the penalty shootout to edge the Phoenix. 

How It Happened

• Leavitt made his first save of the night on UNCG's fifth shot attempt in the 17th minute. Elon blocked four of the Spartans' first six shots in the opening 20 minutes of the contest.
• Elon attempted its lone shot of the opening period in the 31st minute, with Charlie Kitch missing the target.
• The Spartans generated pressure in the closing minutes of the first half but the score entering the break was 0-0.
• UNCG's first shot of the second half was its best of the contest to that point, with Issah Haruna barely missing the top left corner on a chip from in front of the net in the 52nd minute.  
• Leavitt made a crucial save in the 74th minute, denying UNCG's Teva Lossec from point-blank range to maintain Elon's clean sheet.
• With just under four minutes remaining in regulation, Leavitt came up big again, securing a shot from UNCG's Pablo Torre. It was UNCG's final shot of regulation as the contest went to extra time.
• Leavitt denied a UNCG chance on a corner in the 99th minute, grabbing a header from Colton Sessoms out of the air.
• Jordin Wilson had Elon's best look of the night in the 104th minute on an Elon counterattack. After making a run down the right wing, he took a shot toward the upper right corner of the goal that forced UNCG keeper Seth Wilson to elevate and nudge the ball out of harm's way.  
• The second overtime ended with a last-ditch effort by UNCG's Arnaud Tattevin that Leavitt corralled to send the match into a shootout.
• UNCG took a 1-0 lead after the opening round of penalty kicks. Jordin Wilson converted Elon's second attempt with August Guinle also making. However, Seth Wilson turned away Elon's fourth attempt.
• The Spartans missed their first try at winning on the fourth kick. Kozak scored to tie the shootout, 3-3, but Kimito Fritz buried UNCG's fifth attempt to end the match and send the Spartans to the second round.

 
Notes & Numbers

• Leavitt's clean sheet was his 12th of the campaign in 19 matches. The graduate student set a record for the most clean sheets in a season by an Elon goalkeeper.
• Jordin Wilson had Elon's lone shot on goal of the night in the second overtime period. Weston Jonke took a team-high two attempts.
• Majaliwa Msabaha, Connor Mucchetti, Magnus Jacobsen and Kitch all played the entire 110 minutes. Jonke (104) and Oscar Tonidandel (102) both exceeded 100 minutes on the pitch.
• The Phoenix successfully defended nine UNCG corner attempts.
• The match featured 21 combined fouls, with Elon committing 16 compared to five by the Spartans.
• Elon and UNCG played 200 minutes of scoreless soccer this season. The teams also played to a 0-0 draw at Rudd Field on Sept. 30.
• The Phoenix allowed just 11 goals in 19 matches this season.  
• This was Elon's sixth NCAA Tournament appearance after earning the automatic bid from the CAA. The Phoenix won the CAA South Division and CAA Tournament titles this season.

 
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