RALEIGH, N.C. – A pair of first-half goals from Elijah Agu and Austin Hill aided the Elon University men’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory at NC State on Tuesday night, Sept. 13, at the Dail Soccer Stadium.

 

Elon (4-1-1) improved its unbeaten streak to three games after earning its second-ever victory over the Wolfpack (1-4). The Phoenix also increased its record to 7-4-4 versus schools from the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2010.

 

“I’m very proud of the players, it was a great result,” said Phoenix head coach Chris Little. “To come here and get a clean sheet against a really good team is a great result. We got a goal early and had to sustain quite a bit of pressure in the game. NC State imposed themselves on us so we had to be resolute and tough and I think that’s what we had to do to be successful on the road against a really good team.”

 

The Rundown

Elon provided the first score of the contest around the 17^th minute. Nick Adamczyk played a great ball inside to Agu around the top of the six-yard area as the Cary, N.C., native connected for his sixth score of the season.

 

The Phoenix connected on its second goal of the contest at the 41^st minute. Will Smith intercepted a pass then sent a ball to Jaiden Fortune who was battling with a couple of defenders near the top of the box. The striker sent a chip pass over the top of the defenders to a streaking Hill on his right with the rookie maneuvering around the keeper for his third score of the season and a 2-0 Phoenix lead.

 

NC State almost put one in near the end of the half to cut the deficit to one. The Wolfpack caught the Phoenix scrambling in the final seconds of the opening stanza and had a few frantic chances towards a goal. Great team defending prevented a chance for NC State as Elon went into the half with its 2-0 lead intact.

 

Elon was outshot by the Wolfpack in the first period, 7-4, but only one of those was on target compared to three for the maroon and gold. Both squads were even at 3-3 in corner chances.

 

The Wolfpack put pressure on the Phoenix throughout the second period, but great team defending prevented them from really getting back into the contest. Elon was also limited with chances during the second stanza with only a pair of shots.

 

Despite peppering the Phoenix with six shots during the second half and blanking the maroon and gold in corners, 4-0, Elon held on for its third shutout of the season in its 2-0 victory.

 

Notable

• Matthew Jegier played all 90 minutes in goal and had a save while posting his 11^th career shutout.

• Jack Willbye made his first start of the season for Elon at midfield and played 51 minutes. He also received a yellow card at the 30^th minute.

• NC State won the shot battle, 13-6. It was the first game this season that Elon was outshot by the opponent.

• The Phoenix narrowed the all-time series record versus NC State to 2-5.

 

Up Next

Elon travels to No. 24 Radford for its next match versus the Highlanders on Saturday, Sept. 17. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.

 

-- ELON --