WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary men's soccer team battled Colonial Athletic Association newcomer Elon to a scoreless draw at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Wednesday night. Senior Bennett Jones recorded four saves in his second clean sheet of the season. With the result, the Tribe's record goes to 4-7-1, 1-1-1 in CAA play, while the Phoenix are 4-4-3, 0-1-1 in league action.
Elon had the match's first opportunity in the sixth minute. Luis Argudo stole the ball from a Tribe defender and charged towards the box. He launched a shot towards frame, but senior Marcus Luster blocked the shot and the Green and Gold avoided any damage.
The Tribe had a pair of shots in the first half, but both were changed by Elon defenders. In the seventh minute, senior Chris Albiston pushed his shot just wide. Later in the 22nd minute, junior Jackson Eskay had his chance blocked by a charging Phoenix defender.
The Phoenix had its first shot on goal in the 27th minute. Off of a throw-in, Jason Waterman cleared some space and put his shot on target, but Jones was there for his first save of the evening.
Both teams traded chances in the opening minutes of the second half. Argudo had an opening, but his shot was blocked by a Tribe defender. Moments later, freshman William Eskay took a shot from the left side of the pitch, but pushed his chance wide right.
Elon had another good look in the 59th minute. Caue DeSilva fired a shot towards the cage, but the Tribe defense blocked the shot. The Phoenix were able to continue their rally. A foul, led to a pair of corner kicks in the 62nd and 63rd minutes that were both stalled by the Tribe defense.
The Tribe put its first shot on frame in the 66th minute. Redshirt freshman Adam Crenshaw and William Eskay worked a give-and-go to near perfection. However, Elon keeper Nathan Baker was able to solve Crenshaw's shot attempt. The College continued its pressure when senior Josh West put a shot on target. Again Baker was there for the Phoenix save.
Jones came up with a big save in the 75th minute. Off of a turnover, Chad Craig turned and uncorked a shot on target, however the senior punched it away. On the ensuing corner kick, Alex Kowalsk'si header attempt sailed high.
The Phoenix had back-to-back-to-back chances in the in 81st minute. Taylor Adler started the rally, but his shot was blocked. The deflection landed at the feet of Craig, but again the Tribe defense deflected the chance. This time the rebound went to Salazar, who put his shot on target, but Jones was there again for the save.
W&M had a pair of point blank chances in the 85th minute. William Eskay put a shot on target that Dean made the save on. The rebound bounced right to the foot of sophomore Reilly Maw, but Dean recovered in the knick of time to make the save.
Neither team was able to find the game-winner in regulation in the match went to overtime. Three of the last four matches for the Green and Gold have gone to overtime with the Tribe posting a 1-1-1 record.
Elon had the lone shot of the first overtime period. In the 96th minute, Brace got behind a Tribe defender, and took a clean look at the goal. However, he pushed his shot wide of the target.
W&M had the best chance of the second overtime. Crenshaw streaked toward to the box and launched a shot wide left of the goal. The Phoenix did fire a shot, but it was as time expired.
The Phoenix outshot the Tribe 17-9 in the match, but the both team's tied with four shots on goal apiece. William Eskay led the Tribe with a team-high two shots.
The Green and Gold hits the road for the first time in conference play for a pair of matches. The road trip starts at Hofstra on Saturday, Oct. 11, before the Tribe treks to College of Charleston on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. kickoffs.
