A 3-0 win over Winthrop on Thursday night sends the Elon Phoenix to Clemson University on Sunday for a 6 p.m. game against the second-ranked Tigers in the 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship tournament.
The Elon University has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship tournament following a decisive win over Winthrop University in the opening round of the 2016 tourney.
Elon travels to Clemson University on Sunday for its next tournament game against the second-ranked Tigers. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
More than 2,400 fans – by far the most to attend an opening-round game in the 2016 tournament – celebrated a 3-0 home victory Thursday night after the maroon and gold overcame a shots differential to end Winthrop’s season. The victory improved the Phoenix to 14-5-1 on the year and advances them in postseason play for only the second time in program history.
James Brace, Eduardo Alvarez and Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler each netted a goal in the contest for the Phoenix. Keeper Matthew Jegier also had a career-high seven saves in his ninth clean sheet of the season.
“It was a really good college soccer game,” said Elon head coach Chris Little. “The crowd was fantastic and thank you to everyone that came out. It was a really good atmosphere, the place was packed and the players really fed off of it. Just really delighted to get the win in the national tournament.”
The Nov. 19 match was the second NCAA game played on the Phoenix’s home pitch and the first since hosting Clemson in 2013. Elon advanced to the second round of the NCAA with a 4-1 victory in penalty kicks that season over the Tigers in an official 1-1 tie.
Read a full recap of the game and see videos of each score at elonphoenix.com.