A goal with 46 seconds left on the clock doomed Florida Gulf Coast University men's soccer Thursday in the season opener in Elon, North Carolina, against Elon University.
"I felt like we did enough to get a point," head coach
Jesse Cormier said. "The guys played hard enough to get the draw, but we didn't finish the game. We need to learn from this game in all aspects and we will improve. We look forward to the opportunity to get out there on Sunday against NC State."
FGCU freshman goalkeeper
Oliver Weng was a force to be reckoned with in goal, saving four shots in his collegiate debut.
Job Choute recorded the lone shot on goal for the Eagles in the 44th minute to the top right of the net but it was ultimately saved.
The match started fast for the Eagles with
Lucas Windschauer getting two shots off in the first 14 minutes, including just 1:37 into the match. This initial offensive push was matched with physicality from Elon with two yellow cards in the first half, one for persistent infringement.
The second half started in much of the same fashion with Elon getting their third caution of the match just two minutes and 24 seconds into the half. They would total four on the night to FGCU's one yellow card.
Beltran Alvarez recorded his first of his two shots in the second half in the 57th minute and in the 73rd minute. That would be all the Green and Blue could muster until a corner kick found
Pablo Brimeux for another shot off-target in the 88th minute.
The score remained tied 0-0 entering the 90th minute. Elon got a ball into the box on a set piece and with just 46 seconds remaining on the clock, the Phoenix put away the winning goal.
FGCU and Elon both recorded seven corners on the night. Windschauer, Weng, Alvarez,
Victor Hugo de Oliveira Lopes and
Alon Drey saw every minute of action on the pitch while
Luke Barforosh and Choute played 87 and 83 minutes, respectively.
The Eagles return to action against the Wolfpack on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Raleigh.
