MORGANTOWN, WV — Elon University’s men’s soccer team came up short against the #25 West Virginia Mountaineers at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
Despite taking an early lead with a goal in the 16th minute, the Phoenix fell victim to a second half comeback by the Mountaineers.
Elon came into this match as the underdog against a ranked opponent and was unable to generate much offense. From the start, Elon played a defensive game, often having all 11 players behind the ball protecting the goal.
The Phoenix’s first attacking opportunity came in the 16th minute, when a crossing pass from junior defender Kasper Lehm went off a West Virginia player and into the net to give Elon the lead. Elon grew in confidence after taking the lead, creating more chances through quick breakaways and long passes.
West Virginia started the second half in the same manner they started the first, and forced freshman goalkeeper Cam Pelle, starting in place of the injured Peter Wentzel, into two excellent saves. The Mountaineers found an equalizing goal in the 55th minute, when junior defender Vemund Hole Vik deflected a ball into his own net.
Elon had chances to take back the lead, most notably a header from senior forward Jack Edwards that was saved by the Mountaineers goalkeeper. A pair of penalties in the 75th and 84th minutes, the latter of which resulted in a red card for Elon’s Christian Lauenborg, sealed the win for West Virginia.
The Phoenix will be back in action at Radford on Tuesday, Oct. 26, with kick off set for 6 p.m., before returning to Rudd Field to play Hofstra on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. in a conference game.