Elon Men’s Soccer to Host Defending CAA Champ Drexel on Saturday

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s soccer team will host the defending Colonial Athletic Association regular season and tournament champion Drexel on Saturday, Oct. 18. The match between the Phoenix and the Dragons is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. at Rudd Field.

Follow the Phoenix
Fans can follow the Phoenix on Saturday 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.

Alumni Weekend
This weekend is the Phoenix’s annual alumni weekend with many former members of the program coming back in attendance. The team will host a dinner on Friday night, Oct. 17, before holding a alumni game at Rudd Field on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Series History
Saturday’s match will represent the first-ever meeting between the two programs on the soccer pitch. This is also the fifth time so far this season that Elon has faced an opponent for the first time. The Phoenix has posted a record 1-2-1 in those games with a victory over Loyola Marymount, losses against Ohio State and Hofstra and a draw versus Florida International.

Last Time Out
Elon won its second straight CAA match on Wednesday, Oct. 15, with an 2-1 win at #21/23 UNC Wilmington. It was the Phoenix’s first win of the season over a ranked opponent and extended its unbeaten streak to three games.

Jason Waterman provided the game-winning goal in the 84th minute of action, his second score in as many games after going goal-less in the first 11 games of the season. The striker also had an assist in the contest on the Phoenix’s first goal of the match, a James Brace score in the seventh minute.

About Elon (6-4-3, 2-1-1 CAA)
With Wednesday’s win, Elon currently sits atop of the CAA standings with seven points after entering the match against UNCW at fifth. The Seahawks and William & Mary also have seven points, but Elon has a better conference percentage record at .625.

Despite giving up its first goal in two games on Wednesday, the Phoenix still ranks among the top-20 teams in the nation in shutout percentage at 0.54. Elon also leads the conference in goals against average at 0.80 and shutouts (seven).

Brace added his sixth goal of the season against the Seahawks, third currently in the CAA. The Hartlepool, England, native is also seventh overall in the nation in game-winning scores with four and has 12 total points.

After not having a multi-goal game since its season-opener against Stetson, the Phoenix offense has had two in the past two matches. Elon ranks in the middle of the pack in the CAA in shots at 11.69 and goals per match at 1.15.

Scouting Drexel (5-6-3, 1-2-1 CAA)
The Dragons come into Saturday’s match on an two-match unbeaten streak after picking up a 2-1 win over James Madison on Wednesday and earning a 2-2 draw versus College of Charleston last Saturday.

Drexel, who swept the CAA regular-season and conference tournament titles a year ago, has had 12 players find the back of the net this season. Jameson Detweiler and Michele Patala are tied for the team-lead in goals with two while Josh Grosh paces the offensive attack with his five assists and seven points.

Tyler Afflerbach has played every minute in goal this season for the Dragons. The sophomore keeper is allowing a GAA of 0.94 with a save percentage of .797 and 55 total saves.

Up Next
Elon continues its three-match homestand with a step outside of conference play with a battle against in-state rival Duke on Tuesday, Oct 21. Kickoff begins at 7 p.m.