ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s soccer team hits the road this Friday, Sept. 26, for a nonconference match at No. 24 Coastal Carolina. The Phoenix and the Chanticleers will kickoff the match beginning at 7 p.m. at the Coastal Carolina Soccer Field.
Follow the Phoenix
Fans can follow the Phoenix on Friday and throughout the season with live updates on elonphoenix.com. Live stats for every men’s soccer match will be available on the team’s schedule and home pages on the Elon athletic website as well as an opportunity to sign up for text alerts. In-game updates will also be provided on Twitter at @elonscores or the program’s handle @elonmenssoccer.
Series History
Elon and Coastal Carolina will square off for the 15th time on Friday in a meeting between two former Big South Conference foes. The Chanticleers hold a commanding 10-2-2 record over the Phoenix in a series that dates back to 1997, but the maroon and gold won the most recent contest last season in Elon. A penalty kick goal by Daniel Lovitz gave the Phoenix a 2-1 win over the then sixth-ranked Chanticleers and tied Elon’s highest win ever against a ranked opponent.
Last Time Out
Elon drew a 1-1 tie at Radford last Saturday, Sept. 20, its second draw in its last three matches. Elon fell behind 1-0 in the opening stanza before tying the game midway in the second half. The Phoenix’s Rett Webb provided the equalizer in the 67th minute on his first career goal.
About Elon (3-2-2)
Despite giving up its first regulation goal since the season opener, the Phoenix defense still ranks among the top units in the Colonial Athletic Association. Elon ranks first in the league in goals against average (0.67), fewest goals allowed (five) and shutouts (four) in its seven matches this season.
Elon has outshot its opponents 89-71 so far this season and has a +11 differential in shots on frame while creating a number of scoring opportunities. The Phoenix has also outshot its opponents in five of its seven matches.
Four players have tallied at least one goal this season with juniors James Brace and Miguel Salazar leading the way with two apiece. Four players also have double-digit shot attempts for the maroon and gold with senior Jason Waterman and junior Cauê Da Silva leading the way with 13.
In goal, senior Nathan Dean has been solid for the Phoenix this season with 23 saves and a save percentage of .821. The Liverpool, England, native needs two shutouts to tie current Colorado Rapids keeper Clint Irwin for first all-time in career shutouts at Elon. Irwin posted 22 clean sheets during his career from 2007-10.
Scouting Coastal Carolina (4-3)
The Chanticleers, who are ranked No. 24 in the most recent College Soccer News poll and were receiving votes in the NSCAA/Continental Tire poll, are led by head coach Shaun Docking, who is in his 16th season at the helm of the program.
CCU won its most recent contest on Tuesday, Sept. 23, with a 2-1 win at Gardner-Webb. Ricky Garbanzo scored a goal in that contest and is tied for the team lead in points and goals with seven and three, respectively, with Elis Bjornsson. Five players total have scored multi-goals this season for CCU.
Devin Cook-Perales has seen the most time between the posts for Coastal Carolina appearing in six matches. The junior netminder has a GAA of 1.45 to go with 18 saves and a shutout.
Up Next
The Phoenix returns home to host High Point at Rudd Field on Tuesday, Sept. 30. That match is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m.