Elon men’s soccer defeated the University of South Carolina Upstate 3-1 Sept. 29 in an electric match that elevates the Phoenix to a 6-2-2 record for the season.
The Phoenix hit the home field flying high after a 1-0 road win against Duke University on Sept. 25.
The team brought the fire early, with junior midfielder Weston Jonke scoring off of a wicked free kick less than five minutes into the first half, giving Elon a 1-0 lead.
Elon University junior midfielder Weston Jonke evades USC Upstate sophomore midfielder Caedon Reynolds and junior defender Jalen Moore late in their match, Sept. 29 at Rudd Field.
Elon controlled the first half, taking multiple shots and playing suffocating defense on the rare occasions where they did not maintain possession.
One of the Phoenix's better chances at another goal came when redshirt junior forward Dominik Renz stole possession of the ball and rocketed off a shot, but it was stifled by the Spartans’ keeper.
After senior forward Jordin Wilson took a hard foul over the ball, Elon won a free kick on the right corner of the box. Renz received the curl and headed the ball, which was blocked by a flying save.
Elon University senior forward Jordin Wilson begins the game with intensity during their match against USC Upstate, Sept. 29 at Rudd Field.
Sophomore defender Tønnes Daland and redshirt freshman midfielder Diego Thompson teamed up to shut down any chance of a Spartan comeback in the first half.
Elon was hungry for another goal going into halftime, and Thompson took a shot that hit the crossbar, leaving USC struggling to respond. The crowd erupted, egging the Phoenix on to try and extend the lead.
Head coach Marc Reeves believes that reactions like that play a key role in keeping the team motivated when playing at home, sometimes even helping contribute to dominant play. Elon remains unbeaten at Rudd Field this season.
“It’s big to have the home field advantage,” Reeves said. “Especially when we have tougher matches come down the line. We had a pretty good crowd show up here tonight. That can give you an edge.”
USC Upstate came into the second half looking like a different team, immediately pressuring the Phoenix. Sophomore defender Magnus Jacobsen had a big stop early on, forcing the ball away to prevent a goal.
Elon wouldn’t be able to hold the Spartans back much longer. Upstate was able to convert a throw-in into a goal after what Reeves described as a world-class shot that redshirt junior goalkeeper Drew Hartman was unable to save, bringing the score to 1-1.
The Phoenix looked to respond a few minutes later, with a cross from senior forward Martin Kozak finding its way to the feet of redshirt sophomore midfielder Oscar Tonidandel. The shot fell short — but it was the sign of a changing tide.
The response the team was looking for would come in the form of a penalty kick won by Tonidandel, with things really starting to heat up after Upstate received a red card in an attempt to ice him out before his kick.
“I just remember just trying to get the ball in,” Tonidandel said, smiling. “And after that, that was pretty much it.”
He delivered a fiery penalty kick that landed in the bottom right of the net, sending the keeper diving to the left.
Renz would add more fuel to the flame with a tap-in moments later, bringing the score to 3-1.
Elon University redshirt junior forward Dominik Renz sneaks the ball past USC Upstate redshirt junior goalkeeper Jarrett Wuerslin and sophomore defender Logan Grasso for Elon's third goal during their match, Sept. 29 at Rudd Field.
The Spartans' momentum had completely disappeared, and the Phoenix maintained possession of the ball and continuously created dangerous chances.
Freshman midfielder Henry Mertsch nearly brought Elon to a fourth goal off of a commanding header that ended up sailing over the crossbar.
The Phoenix continued to maintain control of the game, with redshirt freshman Mohamed Kallon refusing to be held back by a Spartan defender, winning a foul and another chance for the Phoenix. Despite consistent pressure and pressing, Elon would not score again.
Reeves said he was proud of how the team was able to create chance after chance in the match, with the Phoenix finishing off the match with 19 shots to USC’s five.
“Really good first half — three, four really good goal-scoring chances,” Reeves said. “We just have to finish on a few of them. So that’s something we’ll work to keep getting better at.”
The Phoenix next play on the road against the College of William & Mary on Oct. 3.