The Elon Phoenix will play the winner of the first-round CAA Tournament matchup between Hofstra and Charleston at Rudd Field on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.
The Elon men’s soccer team captured its second CAA Regular Season title in three years after defeating the Campbell Fighting Camels on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Phoenix defeated the Camels 2-1 with goals from Scott Vatne and Connor Mucchetti to put the Camels away and claim the title.
The Elon Phoenix will play now the winner of the first-round CAA Tournament matchup between Hofstra and Charleston at Rudd Field on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.
How It Happened
- Elon had chances in the first ten minutes with Elon having two free kicks in the attacking third and a corner kick, but the efforts were snuffed out by the Camels.
- The Phoenix defense was able to handle early pressure from Campbell, forcing goal kicks and off-target shots.
- The first shot on goal from the Camels came from the outside of the box but was comfortably saved by Tomasz Wroblewski.
- Both teams began exchanging fouls in the midfield before Elon put their first shot on goal in the 29th from a Scott Vatne free kick.
- Vatne would find himself at the top of the box with a free kick chance in the 41st minute. Set up by Calle Edelstam, Vatne unleashed a shot that went bar-down and found itself in the back of the net to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead going into the halftime break.
- The second 45 began similarly to the first with Elon grabbing a corner kick early and the midfield of each team struggling for possession.
- Campbell increased their chances with added offensive pressure, but the backline continued to hold firm with a 1-0 lead.
- Elon took a spell of possession in the 67th minute and made it count. After a shot from Ryan Manna was blocked, the ball found the feet of Connor Mucchetti. Mucchetti faked a shot, put the ball on his left foot and found the bottom right corner to give Elon a 2-0 lead.
- Campbell piled on the pressure trying to find a goal and found one from a free kick with just over 12 minutes to play.
- In the final 12 minutes, Elon was able to see the game out to leave Buies Creek with a CAA Regular Season Championship trophy.
Notes and Stats
- The Phoenix improves to 10-6-1 on the season following the win over Campbell.
- Elon’s 6-2 record puts them on top of the conference by two points at the end of the regular season. With the win, Elon clinches the CAA Regular Season title as well as the number one seed in the 2024 CAA Men’s Soccer Championship.
- The CAA Regular Season title is Elon’s second in the last three years with Elon also taking home the Regular Season title in 2022.
- Scott Vatne bagged his tenth goal of the season in the win against Campbell. His ten goals are the first double-digit goal season since Elijah Agu scored 11 in the 2016 season. Vatne’s 27 points are the most by an Elon player since Jason Waterman had 31 in the 2013 season.
- Connor Mucchetti scored his third goal of the season in the win over the Camels. He becomes the fourth player this season with three goals or more joining: Vatne, Colin Veltri and Victor Stromsten.
- Calle Edelstam picked up an assist in the win over Campbell.
- Tomasz Wroblewski made a pair of saves in the win over the Camels.