Elon Soccer’s Dean Ties Shutout Record in Phoenix’s Scoreless Draw at William & Mary

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Elon University men’s soccer senior goalkeeper Nathan Dean tied the school record in career shutouts as the Phoenix battled William & Mary to a scoreless draw on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in a Colonial Athletic Association match at Martin Family Stadium.

Dean made four saves while playing every minute between the posts as the Phoenix (4-4-3, 0-1-1 CAA) earned its sixth shutout of the season overall. The Liverpool, England, native tied former Elon and current Colorado Rapids keeper Clint Irwin (2007-10) with his 22nd career clean sheet against the Tribe (4-7-1, 1-1-1 CAA).

Elon had its first shot attempt in the eighth minute as James Brace’s strike was blocked by the Tribe defense. The Phoenix had another opportunity for a score in the 15th minute off a corner kick, but the set piece was defensed well by William & Mary.

The maroon and gold survived a couple of scares in the opening stanza. The Tribe’s Jackson Eskay had the second of William & Mary’s two shots in the first period in the 21st minute that was blocked by the Phoenix defense. The ball sailed out of play to set up a corner for William & Mary, but Elon defended the play well.

Jason Waterman had Elon’s lone shot on goal in the first session in the 26th minute of action, but the Tribe’s keeper was there for the save. The maroon and gold would a fire a couple of more shots before the half, but neither came on frame as the match went into the break scoreless.

In the 74th minute, Chad Craig had a shot that was stopped by William & Mary’s goalkeeper Bennett Jones. The play set up a Phoenix corner kick, but a header try by Elon’s Alex Kowalski went too high.

William & Mary had its best chance to score in the second half in the 83rd minute. William Eskay fired a shot towards Dean, who was able to deflect it. The ball then bounced towards Reilly Maw, who appeared to have a clear shot on goal, but Dean was again there to grab the ball.

The match would go into a pair of extra overtime sessions, but outside of a Brace shot in the 95th minute that went wide, Elon had no real clear shot on goal as the match ended scoreless.

The Phoenix outshot the Tribe 17-9, but both teams had four shots on frame. Elon also dominated in corners, 10-2, but was held scoreless for the fourth time this season.

Elon returns home to host Northeastern on Saturday, Oct. 11. The Phoenix and the Huskies will kickoff the match at 7 p.m. on the pitch at Rudd Field.