WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary men's soccer dropped its season finale at home to Elon, 2-1, on Saturday night. The Phoenix (8-7-2, 4-2-2 CAA) scored twice in the opening 45 minutes, and despite a Tribe goal early in the second half, held on for the victory to earn a spot in the CAA Tournament.
 
Trailing 2-0 at the intermission, W&M (7-7, 4-4 CAA) pulled one back just four minutes into the second half. The Tribe was awarded an indirect free kick about eight yards from goal straight on after Elon's goalkeeper illegally touched the ball on a pass back to him. Junior Nathan Messer touched the free kick to classmate Alexander Levengood who placed it nicely just inside the right post with Elon's entire team on the goal line. It was his seventh goal of the season and Messer's fourth assist.
 
The Tribe continued to push for the equalizer, outhshooting Elon, 8-2, in the second half. W&M had a number of quality chances. Messer sent a bending ball from deep on the left side of the midfield that nearly found the upper left corner of the goal in the 62nd minute, but Elon goalkeeper Peter Wentzel backtracked to nab it out of the air before colliding with the post.
 
Sophomore Daniel Salom had a hard shot from the right side of the area and that was stopped by Wentzel in the 73rd minute. Six minutes later, junior Diba Nwegbo missed a header just outside the six-yard box, lifting it over the crossbar. W&M was also awarded a free kick about 25 yards from goal in the 85th minute, but the Elon wall was able to block Alfredo Bozalongo's shot and the Phoenix held on.
 
For the game, W&M outshot Elon, 11-7, including a 4-3 cushion on goal.
 
Elon struck first in the 26th minute off a breakaway goal from Jack Dolk. Scott Vatne played a nice leading ball to set Dolk free into the penalty area, and he slotted it home into the right side of the goal with Tribe goalkeeper Connor Andrews coming off his line.
 
Elon doubled its lead just before the half on a penalty kick. The Tribe was whistled for taking down a Phoenix player near the right end line. Vatne took the opportunity and converted with just over four minutes left in the period to give the visitor a 2-0 lead at the break.