Elon men’s soccer — the Coastal Athletic Association’s defending champions — opened its season with a 3-0 win over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets on Aug. 20.
The Phoenix started quickly. Playing through senior captain Martin Kozak, Elon consistently pushed the ball upfield and found ways past VMI defenders.
Two minutes into the match, senior Jahmir Flowers spun past his initial defender and lined up the team’s first shot. He sent it over the net, but his aggression was the first of a flurry of opportunities.
Quick passes down the field kept VMI under constant pressure. But despite controlling much of the early action, Elon lacked the decisiveness needed to capitalize, according to head coach Marc Reeves.
“We started pretty well. Kept the ball, moved it side to side,” Reeves said. “I would just like to be a bit more dynamic, a bit more decisive, explosive in the attacking third.”
Although Elon struggled to finish early, VMI couldn't relieve the pressure. The Keydets had difficulty advancing past midfield and were often forced to rely on long passes down the field.
Eventually, the pressure paid off.
After another VMI turnover, Flowers raced toward goal and fired a shot that was tipped by the Keydets’ goalkeeper. The ball bounced across the goal box, where Kozak was waiting.
Kozak tapped it in for Elon’s first goal of the season.
“Honestly, I thought Jahmir was going to score,” Kozak said. “It was kind of natural. I just was in the right spot, the right time, and when the ball was coming to me, I was like, ‘Oh, here he goes.”’
Kozak is no stranger to scoring. He led the team in goals and assists last season and was named the CAA tournament’s most outstanding player.
The pressure continued throughout the first half. Junior midfielder Weston Jonke found himself open near the top of the box, but his shot rose just above the crossbar.
Elon entered halftime with 12 shots, including four on goal, while holding VMI to four total shots.
VMI found more opportunities early in the second half. On one attack, the Keydets found striker Jesse Lee pushing upfield with Elon sophomore Tønnes Daland between him and the goal.
As Lee jumped for his first touch, Daland caught him with his leg and was shown a yellow card.
But Elon regained control minutes later.
Redshirt sophomore Oscar Tonidandel worked his way past the defense on the right side before finding Kozak. Kozak sent a cross into the box that landed at the feet of redshirt junior Dominik Renz, who delivered to give Elon a 2-0 lead.
Kozak said his connection with Renz goes beyond the field; the two are neighbors. According to Elon’s captain, their chemistry on the field is a product of the time they spend together away from it.
“We communicate a lot of how we want to play with each other, how we can bring the best out of us, and it shows,” Kozak said. “I just saw the perfect run from Dom, and he just does what he does: score goals.”
Elon continued creating chances throughout the match, finishing with 26 shots. Reeves said he still wants to see more dynamism from the team, but the volume of opportunities was an encouraging sign.
“If you can create that many chances, you know, eventually you're going to grab one,” Reeves said. “So I thought it was impressive.”
Flowers added the final goal, capitalizing on a rebound after the Keydets’ goalkeeper couldn't corral a shot from redshirt freshman Diego Thompson.
The 3-0 win gives Elon a strong start as it looks to defend its 2025 CAA title. But according to Kozak, the team's ambitions extend beyond another conference championship.
“We're a very ambitious group. I think we have a lot of high goals set for us,” Kozak said. “Obviously, we’re gonna defend the CAA championship. That's the baseline, and then the NCAA tournament is next. We're gonna go for everything.”
Elon next plays Old Dominion University on the road in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug. 24.