The Elon University men’s soccer team beat Davidson College 2-0 to win their fifth game of the season. It is the fifth consecutive win for the team after tying their season opener against Old Dominion 0-0.
Coming off a physical 1-0 victory against University of South Carolina Upstate on Sep. 13, Elon controlled the majority of the match, leading for almost the entirety of the game.
Head coach Marc Reeves said he was proud of the team’s ability to lead the game wire-to-wire for that extended amount of time.
“Coming away with the win feels really good and to know that we are leading most of the time just helps build our confidence,” Reeves said.
The team’s first goal occurred on a penalty kick by junior midfielder Martin Kozak after he was fouled by Davidson junior defender Ayman Maadir. It was Kozak’s first goal of the season.
Both teams spent the next 23 minutes of the first half playing keep away from each other. Davidson had an opportunity to tie the game until sophomore defender Brady McGlone’s shot was deflected at the net by graduate goalie Jackson Leavitt.
Like Elon’s game against USC Upstate, the game began to get physical. After senior midfielder Colin Veltri had his shot deflected by junior goalkeeper Lucas Beltran, both teams got involved in a scuffle that briefly stopped play for a few seconds.
Despite the rising tensions, Elon managed to rally toward the end of the first half. Redshirt freshman midfielder Oscar Tonidandel said it was necessary for the team to remain composed throughout the game..
“It’s important to keep our heads up and know that they’re gonna try and get in our heads like that,” Tonidandel said. “We know not to let the way they’re acting influence our play.”
Reeves said he was proud to see the team stick together when they needed to.
“We really preach standing up for each other at the right time, running for each other, defending, and working hard for each other,” Reeves said. “I think that togetherness is a really big part.”
Tonidandel converted a corner assist by senior midfielder Connor Mucchetti with 27 seconds to go in the first half to pad Elon’s lead to 2-0.
Tondidandel said he was ready for the opportunity when he saw Mucchetti down the sideline.
“I was kind of waiting by the top of the box, and luckily it came to me,” Tondidandel said. “I just tried to put it on target and it went in.”
Elon’s defense took over the second half and limited Davidson to only one shot, closing out the game victorious.
Defense was once again a key component of Elon’s performance. This game marked their fifth shutout of the season. Two more compared to the 2024 season as a whole.
The Phoenix will rest for four days before traveling to Williamsburg, Virginia to play against William & Mary at 7 p.m. Sept. 20.