After a winless preseason and a draw on opening night against Northeastern University, the Elon University men’s soccer team found the win column on Sunday Sept. 1 against Rutgers University at the Duke Classic in Durham.
For the second time in as many games on the young season, the Phoenix conceded the first goal of the game, this time to the Scarlet Knights’ junior midfielder Nathan Bruccoleri in the 34th minute. Senior forward Kene Eze fired a shot that deflected off a Phoenix defender and right to Bruccoleri, who beat Elon junior goalkeeper Nathan Dean from 12 yards out.
Like the season opener Friday Aug. 30, the Phoenix answer in the 76th minute on a strike from 18 yards out from sophomore midfielder Myles Mansfield, who took a through ball from fellow midfielder, senior Matt Wescoe, and beat Scarlet Knight’s freshman goalkeeper David Greczek and tie the game at 1-all.
The Phoenix then scored the decisive goal just two minutes later, in the 78th minute on a similar strike from 18 yards out from junior forward Jason Waterman, again on an assist from Wescoe.
With the win over Rutgers, the Phoenix finished the event unscathed with a 1-0-1 record.
Elon will look to continue their momentum when they travel to Wilmington to take part in the UNCW Classic. On Sept. 6, the Phoenix will take on future Southern Conference member Mercer University. The Phoenix will finish out the tournament on Sept. 8 against Presbyterian College.