Senior midfielder James Brace scored the decisive goal for the second straight match as the No. 11 Elon University men's soccer team defeated the University of North Carolina at Wilmington 2-1 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play on Oct. 14.
Brace got on the end of a cross from senior forward Caue Da Silva in the 65th minute and fired a shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
UNCW tied the game in the 57th minute when freshman midfielder Joel Bylander scored his first career goal on a one-time strike.
Just two minutes prior, the Phoenix was awarded a penalty kick after a handball was called on UNCW. Senior midfielder Eduardo Alvarez converted from the penalty spot, but the referee called for a retake after an Elon player was ruled to have been inside the penalty box before the ball was kicked. Alvarez scored with his second attempt to put the Phoenix on the board.
The hosts nearly took the lead in the 8th minute. But the Phoenix was able to clear the ball away to safety from its empty net. Sophomore defender Jonathan Coleby responded for Elon with a shot in the 13th minute, but his shot went wide of the target.
UNCW senior forward Nathaniel Goodwin had a shot from distance in the 16th minute after intercepting a short Elon free kick around midfield, but his shot was corralled by redshirt freshman goalkeeper Matthew Jegier.
Brace had a golden opportunity in the 27th minute when the Seahawks turned it over inside their own penalty box. The ball landed at Brace’s feet, but his close range shot was turned aside for a corner kick.
Da Silva found himself alone on a counter attack in the 31st minute, though his curled shot was deflected out for a corner at the near post. The ensuing corner was headed by senior defender Nathan Diehl, but his effort was also saved.
The Phoenix will return to Rudd Field at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 for a Homecoming night matchup against reigning CAA Tournament champion James Madison University.