BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell (9-4-4) continued their winning streak with a 2-1 victory over Elon (6-3-6) on Saturday evening at the Eakes Athletic Complex, extending their unbeaten run to three matches before a crowd of 847.
Ethan Roberts opened the scoring for Campbell in the 17th minute, finding the bottom right corner after a sustained period of pressure. The Camels doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Filipe Matos converted from close range, assisted by excellent combination play between Skyler Wright and Marco Wright. Elon pulled one back late through Martin Kozak in the 89th minute, but couldn't find an equalizer.
The first half saw Campbell establish control early, with Roberts testing the Elon defense repeatedly. Charlie Kitch had Elon's best chance in the 3rd minute, sending his effort just over the crossbar. The physical nature of the match was evident with Sumner Nenninger receiving a yellow card in the 38th minute for an unsporting challenge.
Campbell maintained their momentum after the break, with Marco Wright becoming increasingly influential in midfield. The Camels created several quality chances, including Ronnie Garcia's shot in the 57th minute that narrowly missed the target. Elon showed resilience, particularly after conceding the second goal, with Colin Veltri forcing a save in the 84th minute.
The statistics reflected Campbell's dominance, outshooting Elon 12-7 with five shots on target compared to Elon's one. The Phoenix earned four corner kicks to Campbell's three, while the match saw three yellow cards distributed - one to Elon's Nenninger and two to Campbell's Marco Wright and Lotem Ben Dov.
Individual performances stood out on both sides. Campbell's Ethan Roberts was particularly effective, recording three shots before being substituted in the 79th minute. Elon's Majaliwa Msabaha showed creativity in midfield, while Charlie Kitch provided a constant threat down the wing until his 80th-minute substitution.
Tactically, Campbell's high-pressing approach proved effective, forcing Elon into numerous turnovers in dangerous areas. The Camels' wing play, particularly through Skyler Wright and Marco Wright, created consistent problems for Elon's defensive structure. The Phoenix attempted to counter through quick transitions but struggled to maintain possession in advanced areas.
The victory strengthens Campbell's position in the conference standings, extending their winning streak to two matches following their recent triumph over USC Upstate. For Elon, the defeat ends their four-match unbeaten run and marks their first loss since early October.
Both teams showed moments of quality throughout the ninety minutes, but Campbell's clinical finishing and tactical discipline ultimately proved decisive. The match featured significant contributions from both benches, with coaches utilizing a combined 23 substitutions to maintain intensity throughout.
Looking ahead, Elon will aim to bounce back when they host William & Mary on November 1st, while Campbell's next fixture will be crucial as they continue their push for conference honors. The match demonstrated both teams' competitive spirit, with the final score reflecting the fine margins at this level of college soccer.