Men's Soccer Opens Conference Play against Elon
9/25/2009 1:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern men's soccer team (0-6-1) opens conference play against Elon (3-3-1) Saturday.
The Eagles enter conference play after dropping a tough match to USC Upstate 3-1 Wednesday. Georgia Southern out shot the Spartans 14-12 but was able to score only one goal.
Joe Madigan (Centennial, Colo.) led the Eagles' attack, recording three shots with two on goal. Danny Hall (Conyers, Ga.) scored his third goal of the season and his second off a penalty kick, tying the match at one goal each.
USC Upstate added two goals in the second half to win 3-1. Georgia Southern took two shots before the Spartans' first goal of the half.
Madigan missed high in the 68th minute. Adam Guediri (Marietta, Ga.) launched a shot on target, but Pat Regna denied him of a goal. The Eagles recorded four more shots in the half but were unable to put any on target.
David Leonard (Augusta, Ga.) gave Georgia Southern its best chance, but he had his shot blocked by the USC Upstate defense.
Elon, winner of three of its last four matches, enters this weekend's match with a 3-3-1 record. The Phoenix are coming off a 2-1 loss Wednesday to Wake Forest. Justin Wyatt led the Elon attack against the Demon Deacons, notching a goal and five shots.
The Phoenix offense leads the conference in shot attempts with 119 and ranks fifth in goals scored (9). Chris Thomas ranks first on the team in shots (26), goals (3) and points (7).
Elon's defense ranks second in goals against average (0.69) and third in saves (25). Clint Irwin has started all seven matches in net for the Phoenix and sports a 0.69 goals against average. Irwin also ranks second in save percentage (.828).
