BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Elon scored twice in a 3:50 span midway through
the second half and went on to a 4-1 men's soccer exhibition win
over Campbell Tuesday at the Eakes Athletic Complex.
In a match-up of a pair of defending conference regular season
champions, Elon (Southern) built a four-goal lead before Campbell
(Atlantic Sun) got on the board through Jason Keever's penalty
kick. Brad Franks scored twice for the Phoenix, while Clint
Collins and Archie Karpeh added strikes.
"I certainly don't want to take anything away from our opponent as
Elon is a very strong team and dictated all the play for the first
25-to-30 minutes of the game," said Campbell head coach Doug Hess.
"However, we have to look at our involvement, and as a team we were
too disconnected. There were some bright spots, but at the end of
the day you can't concede four goals and have any expectation of
winning."
The Phoenix jumped in front in the fourth minute when Justin Wyatt,
the 2008 Southern Conference Player of the Year, cut back on the
end line, then hit a left-footed service to Brad Franks, whose free
header beat Camel keeper Ted Awana.
Campbell nearly drew level in the ninth minute when Vince
Petrasso's right footed shot from the edge of the area deflected
wide of the left post.
In the 27th minute, Ben York's pass down the right flank found
Khalil Johnson behind the Elon back four on the right flank.
However, the Jamaican's right-footed effort sailed wide of Clint
Irwin's left post.
Campbell nearly equalized in the 48th minute when Johnson served a
ball into the area that Keegan Terry controlled and turned, but his
effort bounced just wide of the left post.
Elon doubled the margin in the 58th minute when Chris Thomas turned
in the box and squared a ball to Collins, whose one-time ball from
15 yards sailed just under the bar.
Franks added his second goal of the night less than four minutes
later when he pounced on a loose ball in the box and found the
lower left corner of the net.
In the 75th minute Karpeh finished a sequence down the left side
set up by Gabe Latigue for a 4-0 Phoenix edge.
Campbell drew within 4-1 in the 76th minute after Terry was fouled
in the box and Keever converted from the spot. Patrick Tinucci
saved the Camels' further damage in the 81st minute when he dove to
his right to stop Hunter Miller's penalty.
Elon held a 16-13 edge in shots, including an 8-3 cushion in shots
on target. Clint Irwin finished with two saves over 75:44 in the
Phoenix nets. Ted Awana (1 save) and Tinucci (3) split the contest
equally in the Camel goal.
Campbell opens its regular season next Tuesday (Sept. 1) at
defending Colonial Athletic Association champion UNC
Wilmington.
