Hempstead, NY — Elon University men’s soccer team scored first, but could not hold onto the lead in its first ever Colonial Athletic Association championship match, losing to the Hofstra University Pride, 3-2.
Junior defender Vemund Hole Vik put the Phoenix on the scoreboard with a goal in the sixth minute. Freshman midfielder Scott Vatne sent a corner kick to the front of the goal, and after a pass from sophomore defender Jannik Videbaek, Hole Vik headed it into the net.
Elon held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Hofstra stormed back early in the second half. A goal in the 53rd minute tied the game and another goal from a free kick in the 57th minute gave the Pride the lead.
Hofstra scored again in the 72nd minute to go ahead 3-1. While senior forward Jack Edwards added a goal in the 79th minute to bring the Phoenix back within one, the team could not find a tying score in the final ten minutes. A final shot in the 89th minute by sophomore forward Jack Dolk sailed over the net and out of play, all but ending the Phoenix’s chances.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Peter Wentzel made five saves, including three in the first half to keep Elon ahead. After registering just two shots on goal in its semifinal match against Northeastern, the Phoenix fired seven shots on target against the Pride.
With the win, Hofstra earned its fifth CAA championship and first since 2015. The Pride is now 7-0-1 all-time against the Phoenix and has secured an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Elon finishes its season with a 9-8-2 record and is still searching for its first CAA Tournament championship. The bracket for the NCAA Tournament will be released tomorrow at 1 p.m. The Phoenix last earned an at-large selection in 2015, when it compiled a record of 14-6-1.