Irwin Named SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week

Elon goalkeeper Clint Irwin was named the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 22, announced the league office. The junior is majoring in political science and has a 3.37 GPA. Irwin helped the Phoenix to back-to-back shutout wins against Clemson and East Tennessee State last week as Elon improved to 3-2-1 on the season.

On Wednesday, Irwin posted three saves in Elon’s 2-0 victory over Clemson, the Phoenix’s first win over the Tigers in program history. Irwin followed that performance with three more stops in a 3-0 win at East Tennessee State on Saturday. Led by its netminder, Elon has tied the school record with four consecutive shutout performances.

Irwin, a native of Charlotte, N.C., currently holds third place in the Elon record books with 13 career clean slates. He is just two away from tying Taylor Saxe (2003-06) for the second slot. With only three goals allowed in six contests, Irwin ranks second in the conference and 23^rd in the country with a 0.48 GAA.

(Courtesy elonphoenix.com)

Freshman Chris Thomas Named SoCon Player of the Week

Elon freshman Chris Thomas was named the Southern Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for all games played the week of September 15. Thomas dumped in two goals and added an assist in Elon’s victories over Atlantic Coast Conference foe Clemson and East Tennessee State last week.

The rookie forward netted the ultimate game-winner in the Phoenix’s 2-0 win over Clemson on Wednesday night at the annual Jimmy V Classic game. The win was Elon’s first-ever over the Tigers and only its second-ever win over an ACC school since making the transition to Division I. Thomas scored in the 28^th minute off an assist from senior Erfan Imeni.

Thomas followed up his performance against Clemson with a goal and an assist to lead Elon to a 3-0 victory at East Tennessee State on Saturday. The native of Snellville, Ga., fed senior Daniel Street to give Elon a 2-0 advantage before recording a marker of his own just minutes later.

Thomas finished the week with five points in two games. He ranks fifth in the conference and leads the Phoenix with seven points this season. His three goals on the year are tied for the second-highest total in the league.

(Courtesy elonphoenix.com)

Phoenix to ‘Rise Up’ Against Cancer in Annual Jimmy V Match

The Elon men’s soccer team will do its part to fight the ongoing battle against cancer when it hosts the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m., in Rhodes Stadium. For the sixth consecutive year, the Phoenix is teaming up with The V Foundation for Cancer Research to help raise money through ticket sales and a silent auction event at Wednesday night’s game.

“We feel it is good to support The V Foundation with a college soccer game,” explained Elon head coach Darren Powell. “To our knowledge it is the only event of its kind across the country. Jimmy V was an outstanding coach and had outstanding work ethic and is an individual we all try to emulate.”

A silent auction will be held beginning at 6 p.m., and running through halftime. This year’s auction features autographed items from teams such as Elon football, Duke basketball, UNC basketball, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Revolution and many more.

Tickets to the game are $6 for adults, with $1 from each ticket benefitting cancer research. Elon students and children 12 and under can get into the game for free. The Phoenix women’s soccer team will also be on hand at the CiCi’s Pizza Phoenix Phun Zone where kids can play in the moonbounce and get autographs from all the current players.

The Phoenix and Tigers will meet for just the fourth time in program history. Clemson holds a 2-0-1 series advantage with the most recent result being a 1-1 double-overtime tie in 2007. Elon is 1-2-1 in 2009 and is coming off a 2-0 victory over Marshall at the UNCG Kickoff Classic on Sunday. The Tigers dropped a 3-1 decision to second-ranked Wake Forest over the weekend and is still looking for its first victory with a current record of 0-3-1.

(Courtesy elonphoenix.com)

Kinney Named to Senior CLASS Award List

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Elon senior back Steven Kinney was selected as one of 30 men’s soccer student-athletes who excel both on and off the field to be a candidate for the 2009 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence — classroom, character, community and competition.
 
“This is a great honor for Steven to be nominated on such a prestigious list,” said Elon head coach Darren Powell. “Steven is much deserving, having been named a scholar all-american last year and serving as a team captain for the past two years. He continues to serve the Elon community and excel both in the classroom and on the field.”
 
A three-year starter for the Phoenix, Kinney helped Elon to an undefeated Southern Conference record and league regular-season crown in 2008. The two-time first-team all-conference performer was recognized for excellence in the classroom as a second-team NSCAA adidas Scholar All-American last season. Kinney has netted five goals and assisted on four others during his Elon career. He earned NSCAA All-South Region recognition in each of the past two seasons.
 
During his time at Elon, Kinney has been a member of the Athletic Director’s and Southern Conference honor roll. He volunteers his time with the Burlington Soccer Club, coaching youth soccer clinics and training children to develop their soccer abilities. He also took a mission trip to Honduras to help assemble homes and a school for underprivileged children.
 
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
 
Kinney is among elite competition, with several of the candidates also on the preseason watch list for the Hermann Trophy, an award given annually to the top Division I soccer player in the country.
 
From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2009 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award at the end of September. Nationwide voting will begin October 5 and conclude November 13. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. The winner will be announced during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s College Cup in Cary, N.C., scheduled for December 11-13.

(Courtesy soconsports.com)

SoCon Coaches: Elon is Preseason Favorite

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon has been tabbed the preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference’s men’s soccer regular season championship.  The Phoenix, who finished the 2008 regular season 7-0, received four first-place votes in balloting conducted by the league’s head coaches.  The coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or student-athletes in preseason balloting which also included a preseason all-conference team. 

Furman and College of Charleston tied for second place in the preseason rankings.  The Paladins and Cougars each received two first-place votes and recorded 40 points apiece.  Furman went 4-3 against league foes last season while the Cougars finished 3-4.

UNC Greensboro, which captured the 2008 Southern Conference Tournament title, was picked fourth.  Appalachian State garnered 26 points and was slotted fifth.  Georgia Southern, Wofford and Davidson rounded out the poll. 

Appalachian State, Elon and Furman each placed three members on the preseason all-conference team.  Midfielder Arie Muniz, defender Steven Sassano and goalkeeper Colin Taylor represented the Mountaineers.  Taylor shared the nod at goalkeeper with Elon’s Clint Irwin.  Forward Justin Wyatt, who led the league in points and goals last season, along with defender Steven Kinney also represented the Phoenix.  Furman’s Jonathan Collier (defense), Warren Creavalle (midfield) and Coleton Henning (forward) garnered preseason honors for the Paladins.  

Forwards Matt Morris and Kareem Yearwood were selected to the preseason all-conference team for the Cougars. Yearwood was named second team all-conference last year, while Davidson’s Alex Caskey, a first-team all-conference selection in 2008, also garnered preseason honors. 

 The 2009 season begins Tuesday, September 1 when five Southern Conference teams take the pitch.  The 2009 Southern Conference Men’s Soccer Championship will take place November 13 & 15.

2009 Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Elon (4)                                  44

2. College of Charleston (2)          40

    Furman (2)                             40

4. UNC Greensboro                     33

5. Appalachian State                   26

6. Georgia Southern                    19

7. Wofford                                  14

8. Davidson                                  8

( ) Denotes first-place votes

2009 Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team

F       Coleton Henning, Furman

F       Matt Morris, College of Charleston

F       Justin Wyatt, Elon

F       Kareem Yearwood, College of Charleston

MF    Alex Caskey, Davidson

MF    Warren Creavalle, Furman

MF    Arie Muniz, Appalachian State

D       Jonathan Collier, Furman

D       Steven Kinney, Elon

D       Steven Sassano, Appalachian State

GK    Clint Irwin, Elon

GK    Colin Taylor, Appalachian State

(Courtesy soconsports.com)

Rudd Field Construction Nearing Completion

 The fan experience at Rudd Field just got a little better. Construction is nearing completion on new permanent bleachers that will provide around 300 fans with a new vantage point for Phoenix Soccer.

“We are really excited to enhance the atmosphere of Rudd Field and give our fans a permanent place to watch the excellent quality of play that our soccer teams exhibit,” said Elon Director of Athletics Dave Blank.  “The addition of permanent seating should enhance our recruiting and will really add to the experience of our student-athletes as they continue to compete for championships at our quality facilities here at Elon.”

The new bleachers will provide better sight-lines, and also improve the look and feel of Rudd Field for fans and players alike.

“It will give our fans a better vantage point for our games at Elon. We think that the addition is great and will make for an even better atmosphere at our games,” said men’s soccer head coach Darren Powell.  “We hope that with some attractive home contests this fall and the additional seating, we will see our attendances increase for the fifth successive year.” 

See the complete Rudd Field addition photo gallery here

(Some Information and Photo courtesy elonphoenix.com)

2009 Schedule Released

The Elon Phoenix Men’s Soccer team has announced their 19 game regular-season  slate for 2009. In addition to the always tough Southern Conference opponents,  it includes match-ups with perennial ACC powers Clemson, Duke, and 2008 College Cup participants UNC Chapel Hill and Wake Forest. 

Head Coach Darren Powell explains, “We feel we put together a challenging schedule, highlighted by top teams out of conference as well as in the Southern Conference,” said Powell. “We hope to challenge our players on a daily basis in order to be successful both in and out of league play.”

The regular season opens September 1st as the Phoenix host the High Point University Panthers for a 7:00 match at Rudd Field. They open the pursuit of another SoCon title on September 26th as Georgia Southern comes to Elon.

For the complete 2009 Elon Men’s Soccer schedule click here 

(Information courtesy Elon Athletics)   

2008: A Championship Season

 2008 Season in Review   A look back at the 2008 season, which saw the Phoenix finish10-9-1 overall and a perfect 7-0-0 in Southern Conference play as the squad captured the program’s first ever SoCon title. 

(Courtesy Elon University Athletics)