Elon travelled up to the Garden State Sunday night to take on the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University. Elon trounced Rutgers 8-1 to improve to 2-1 on the year.
Elon found the back of the net early and often in this match. Iñigo Bronte opened the scoring with a rocket from near midfield to beat the keeper. It looked as if the ball was going to sail just over the crossbar, but Bronte clipped the bottom of the bar, sending his shot across the goalline.
Bronte wasn’t finished yet. In the 17’ Bronte tickled twine again, this time off of a pass from senior midfielder Marcel Fahrenholz, who would also score later in the game, to complete his brace.
The Pamplona, Spain native would strike once more in the 28' to cap off his hat-trick. The junior would also add an assist on a Christian Lauenborg goal in the 61’. His seven total points in the match earned him this week’s Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play of the week honor.
Elon’s win came on the heels of beating No. 20 nationally-ranked Florida International University 3-0 on August, 26. Elon’s only loss this year came in their opener during the John Rennie/Nike Classic when they fell to Vermont 2-0.
The poor weather last week may have been a blessing in disguise, as they were unable to play against nationally-ranked No. 7 Cavaliers of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville because of storms. Elon, instead, avoided playing two away games in four days undoubtedly giving the team the energy to come out strong against a tough Rutgers team.
Elon must endure one more road test, this time closer to home. They take on High Point University on September 8 before finally opening their home schedule against UNC Charlotte on September 11.