The Elon University men’s soccer team will face the No. 12 Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Conway, S.C., the NCAA announced Monday evening.
After a 15-4-2 record and regular season and tournament Southern Conference championships, the Phoenix drew the team it faced in the first round of last year’s tournament. The Chanticleers (18-2-0) defeated Elon 4-3 in the Phoenix’s first ever NCAA Tournament appearance last Nov. 17.
“It’s a familiar draw for us, so we know the routine,” said Elon head coach Darren Powell, the 2012 SoCon Coach of the Year. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get some revenge.
The Phoenix also dropped a 2-1 match to Coastal Carolina Sept. 14 this season. Elon's lone goal came off a corner kick by senior midfielder Gabe Latigue that was redirected by a Coastal Carolina defender for an own goal.
The Chanticleers earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after being upset in the Big South Conference championship game by Winthrop University.
The Phoenix reached the tournament by clinching the Southern Conference Tournament title Nov. 10 with a 2-1 win over Wofford College in Cary, N.C. Latigue scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute to earn Elon the title.