Elon is now only one of two CAA schools in the past 16 years to win both men and women's soccer conference titles in the same season.
A historic afternoon at Rudd Field ended with the Elon University men’s soccer team hoisting its first-ever Coastal Athletic Association Championship trophy, as the Phoenix defeated Stony Brook 3-0 on Sunday to secure the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Elon used two first-half goals to seize control early and added a late insurance strike, while a lockdown defensive display and another clean sheet from goalkeeper Jackson Leavitt carried the Phoenix across the finish line.
Elon jumped in front in the ninth minute, capitalizing when Joe Taylor’s corner kick forced a Stony Brook miscue that resulted in an own goal. The Phoenix doubled the advantage in the 27th minute on a well-crafted sequence when Weston Jonke slipped a pinpoint cross into the box to Einar Ness, who headed home his second goal of the season to send the Phoenix crowd into celebration.
Stony Brook generated a handful of opportunities through its seven corner kicks and held a slight edge in possession, but the Phoenix defense absorbed each push. Leavitt made three saves, including two in the second half, to preserve his 11th shutout.
With the Seawolves pushing forward late, Elon put the match away in the 88th minute. Dominik Renz broke free in transition and centered a pass to Martin Kozak, who buried his finish from 12 yards out for his team-leading fifth goal of the year, sealing the championship with a 3-0 margin.
Read more about the win on the Phoenix Athletics website.