Men's soccer victorious over St. Mary's

Senior midfielder Eduardo Alvarez scored his second goal in as many matches as the Elon University men’s soccer team defeated St. Mary’s College of California 1-0 on Sunday, Aug. 30 afternoon. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Matthew Jegier recorded his second clean sheet of the season as the Phoenix picked up a pair of victories at John Rennie/Nike Classic to start the season.

The Phoenix looked to pick up right where they left off following their four-goal performance on Friday night. Sophomore Midfielder Eduardo Alvarez fired a shot in the 1^st minute just wide of the goal.

Elon’s second chance came in the 8^th from well-timed cross from senior midfielder Miguel Salazar to senior midfielder James Brace, but Brace was ruled offside.

St Mary’s had a chance to take the lead soon after, but Jegier was able to collect the headed shot. In the 15^th minute, St. Mary’s had a chance on a breakaway, but the shot hit off the right post.

Elon found the breakthrough as halftime approached. Alvarez scored in the 40^th minute with freshman forward Jaiden Fortune setting up the goal.

St. Mary’s nearly equalized early in the second half in the 48^th minute. The Phoenix caught a break as Jegier saved a shot and the ball ricocheted off the post as the woodwork denied St. Mary’s for the second time.

Sophomore midfielder Juan Argudo had a chance to double Elon’s lead on a breakaway in the 61^st minute, but his effort went high of the cross bar. Four minutes later, Da Silva created another chance, but his cross was handled by St. Mary’s goalkeeper.

Tensions began to boil later in the second half. Elon’s bench received a yellow card following the booking of Alvarez in the 60th minute. St. Mary’s sophomore midfielder Max Mirner was then sent off after receiving his second yellow in the 69th minute.

The Elon defense survived a late onslaught from St. Mary’s, including a firm save from Jegier on a Gael free kick to come away as 1-0 victors.

The Phoenix will return to action next weekend, in their second straight tournament to start the season. Elon travels to Colonial Athletic Association rival University of North Carolina at Wilmington for the UNC Wilmington Classic.

The Phoenix will take on Campbell University on Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. and the University of North Florida on Sunday, Sept. 6 at noon.