The Elon University men’s soccer team was able to avenge a bitter, 4-2 defeat at the hands of rival High Point University by beating Campbell University 3-1 Saturday night at Rudd field. The Phoenix used two second half goals, one from forward Chris Thomas, the other from midfielder Gabe Latigue, to attain much needed momentum going forward.
“We managed to grab our first win for the season,” head coach Darren Powell said. “So I think that’s a good sign if you can win your home games. We were pleased to get our first win.”
For senior midfielder Gabe Latigue, the win was a huge confidence boost for his team coming off a disheartening loss.
“We were disappointed last week, but to get a win [tonight] means a lot,” Latigue said. “We’re keeping our heads up and we’re looking forward and we’re staying positive. That’s all we can do right now.”
The Phoenix opened the scoring in the 15th minute, when Gabe Latigue scored the first of his two goals off a set piece just outside the box.
“[Latigue] scored two wonderful goals tonight,” Powell said. “It was a great free kick he struck and then we needed that goal at the end. It just gave us a bit of breathing space.”
After dominating long stretches of the first half, Elon allowed Campbell to control play in the second. The Camels took ten shots to Elon’s two, including several that forced Elon goalkeeper Nathan Dean to make spectacular saves to preserve the Phoenix lead.
Eventually, Campbell was able to break through and tie the game at 1 in the 49th minute on a 40 foot shot from midfielder Ricki Gaez that sneaked by Dean off the left post.
“We just wanted to make sure after last week’s game against High Point we were able to defend certain situations within the game better,” Powell said.
Defense was a focal point for the Phoenix before their game against the Camels, according to Latigue.
“I think after the High Point game we were all very disappointed in the way we defended,” Latigue said. “And then we came out tonight and defended a lot better. Unfortunately we did concede a goal, but that’s why we’re working, and we’ll keep working to limit the goals we do concede.”
After conceding the Camel’s lone goal, Chris Thomas scored in the 57th minute to give the Phoenix back the lead. Gabe Latigue added a third goal in the 84th minute to salt the game away.
The Phoenix will play their next four matches on the road, including their next two at a tournament hosted by Lipscomb University. After playing the host September 7th, the Phoenix will play Belmont University September 9th.
“It’s two new teams for us on the schedule, so we don’t know a lot about each other,” Powell said. “So we’re very excited to have the opportunity to play two quality teams in the tournament-type format.”
Coach Powell knows four straight road games will be a challenge for the Phoenix, but he insists he and his team is looking forward to it.
“Every year we try to put a very competitive schedule together, and this year’s been no different,” Powell said. “We’re looking forward to those games. What it does is it tests the resolve of the team very early in the year and we’ll see what the make-up and the character of this group is going to be.”
Latigue knows the Phoenix have a lot to work to do before then.
“First and foremost [we need to] have the mentality to keep a shutout, the mentality to work hard enough to where we’re not going to give up any goals,” Latigue said. “Defensively, as we get our stops, we have guys who are very good with the ball and the goals will come.”
At least for one night, goals weren’t a problem for the Phoenix.