Entering the 80th minute, the Elon University men’s soccer team led The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1-0. Two minutes later, they led by three.
Junior forward Jack Dolk, who hadn’t scored a goal all season, was able to find the bottom left corner of the net twice in two minutes. His two goals put the ribbon and bow on the victory gift for head coach Marc Reeves’ birthday.
“My smile was from ear to ear, it was great to hug the guys,” Dolk said. “I’ll remember that for a long time.”
In the end, Elon University's men’s soccer team blew past The North Carolina Tar Heels in a 3-0 score fest to secure their first victory over UNC in university history. Elon rallied with senior forward Mason Duval and junior forward Jack Dolk.
Duval tracked down a pass the length of the field in the match’s 28th minute from graduate student defender Michael Clow. Duval then dribbled in from the left side of the 18-yard box and sent a strike into the bottom right corner of the net for his team-leading sixth goal of the year.
“I was able to hold off my guy, chest it down and then make really good contact and put it in the corner,” Duval said
Duval said coming to the bench had never felt so good.
“I loved it,” Duval said. “The bench was amazing and the coaches were amazing, too.”
Later, Dolk was able to score twice with under ten minutes remaining. His first was courtesy of junior defender Ben Rosenblatt, his second off a pass from sophomore midfielder Scott Vatne. Both of his goals snuck into the bottom left corner of the net.
“I have been trying all season to get a goal, and no I got two,” Dolk said. “It was everything I needed at this stage of the season.”
The Phoenix defense held the Tar Heels scoreless, marking its ninth shutout of the year.
Reeves said that it was an incredible win.
“To score three great goals against an ACC team and keep a shutout,” Reeves said. “It’s a fantastic win against an incredible team.”
The Phoenix certainly brought the heat to a frigid night from Rudd Field, as it was able to take down an ACC opponent in front of the home crowd.
“It’s a statement win against an ACC opponent,” Dolk said. “We want to be a hard team to come and play here at home.”
As the Phoenix prepares for the postseason, Duval said the most important thing for the team to do is stay unified and keep playing together.
“Staying together is the biggest thing,” Duval said. “Rallying together, believing in each other and fighting for each other.”
Reeves will celebrate turning 48 a little extra tonight but said he and the team will get back to preparing for Charleston tomorrow.
“Our group does need to enjoy it for certain, but I think they are understanding that we have two conference games,” Reeves said. “Winning a championship is in our hands”