Elon MSOC Phoenix Loses Heartbreaker at Duke in Overtime, 2-1

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite taking an early lead at the 13th minute, the 10th-ranked Elon University men’s soccer team fell in heartbreaking fashion at Duke in overtime, 2-1, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Koskinen Stadium.

Duke’s Brody Huitema scored the golden goal at the 99th minute on a header off a cross from the left wing to snap the Phoenix’s (12-3) four-game win streak. The Blue Devils improved to 7-6-2 on the year. Elon’s Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler scored the lone goal of the match for the maroon and goal in the 13th minute of the contest.

The Rundown
Elon opened the match with a goal inside the 13th minute. Vandermaas-Peeler took a cross from Luis Argudo from the left wing and tapped the ball past the goalkeeper for his fourth goal of the season and a early 1-0 advantage for the Phoenix.

The Blue Devils would tie the match just over 10 minutes later off an Elon miscue. Duke’s Brian White headed in a cross pass from Carter Manley to tie the match a 1-1.

Elon went into the break trailing in shots to the Blue Devils, 7-5, but both squads were even at 2-2 in shots on target. Duke also had the slight advantage overall on corners, 4-3, in the opening period.

After both teams battled through a scoreless second stanza, Huitema scored his fourth goal of the year after playing a cross from Kevon Black. The Phoenix defense tried to deflect the ball out, but was unable to keep Huitema from connecting and finishing the game with a 2-1 win.

Match Notes
• Elon falls to 1-10-3 all-time versus the Blue Devils and has lost its last two matches at Duke.
• Both teams were tied at 12-12 in shots and shots on goal (3-3). Duke won the corner battle, 8-7, and made one more save (2-1).
• This was the Phoenix’s first overtime session of the year. Elon last played extra minutes last year versus College of Charleston.
• James Brace was also credited with an assist on Vandermaas-Peeler’s goal, his four of the year and tied for the team-lead.
• The assist also gave Brace 52 points on his career, moving him into the top-10 all-time in program history.
• Elon’s played a man down after the 93rd minute as a red card was issued on the Phoenix.

Up Next
Elon closes out its final road trip of the regular-season as the Phoenix heads to Hofstra for a crucial Colonial Athletic Association match on Saturday, Oct. 24. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.