ELON, N.C. — Freshman Brown Huffard scored his second goal of the season as William & Mary men's soccer opened CAA play with a 1-1 draw at Elon on Sunday afternoon at Rudd Field.
The reigning CAA Rookie of the Week wasted little time putting the Tribe in front, finding the back of the net just 1:35 into the match off an assist from Gabe Ruitenberg. Huffard's second goal of the season moved him into a tie for the team lead, while Ruitenberg picked up his team-leading third assist.
W&M carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime and held the lead until the 74th minute, when Elon's Magnus Jacobsen scored the equalizer.
Diego Garciarena made four saves in goal for the Tribe, including three in the second half. Elon finished with a 19-9 advantage in shots and an 11-3 edge in corner kicks, while W&M put three of its nine attempts on frame.
First Half
The Tribe struck on its first opportunity of the afternoon. Ruitenberg set up Huffard in the second minute, and the freshman converted to give W&M an early 1-0 advantage.
Elon looked for an answer and forced Garciarena into his first save in the 16th minute on an attempt from Dominik Renz.
W&M continued to create opportunities of its own. Beckham Harris recorded an attempt in the 22nd minute before Kai Feng and Alex Kochell followed with chances. Ruitenberg added another shot in the 28th minute.
The Phoenix finished the opening half with an 8-5 advantage in shots, but the Tribe defense held Elon to just one attempt on goal as W&M took its 1-0 lead into the break.
Second Half
Huffard nearly doubled the Tribe's advantage in the 61st minute, putting an attempt on frame that was stopped by Elon goalkeeper Drew Hartman. Harris and Evan Rabush followed with chances over the next three minutes.
Elon increased the pressure as the half progressed. Garciarena stopped a Jahmir Flowers attempt in the 71st minute before the Phoenix eventually broke through.
Jacobsen scored off an assist from Weston Jonke at the 73:35 mark to even the match at 1-1.
The Tribe had an opportunity to retake the lead in the 84th minute when Alex Garrison put a shot on goal, but Hartman made the save. Garciarena answered with another stop in the 90th minute to help preserve the draw.
The draw marked the second consecutive tie between the programs in regular-season play after the sides played to a 1-1 draw in Williamsburg last season.
Up Next
William & Mary returns home Saturday, Sept. 5, hosting College of Charleston in CAA action at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
