The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Phoenix will play the winner of the first-round CAA Tournament matchup between Hofstra and Charleston at Rudd Field on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.
The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ men’s soccer team captured its second CAA Regular Season title in three years after defeating the Campbell Fighting Camels on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Phoenix defeated the Camels 2-1 with goals from Scott Vatne and Connor Mucchetti to put the Camels away and claim the title.
The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Phoenix will play now the winner of the first-round CAA Tournament matchup between Hofstra and Charleston at Rudd Field on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.
How It Happened
- ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ had chances in the first ten minutes with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ having two free kicks in the attacking third and a corner kick, but the efforts were snuffed out by the Camels.
- The Phoenix defense was able to handle early pressure from Campbell, forcing goal kicks and off-target shots.
- The first shot on goal from the Camels came from the outside of the box but was comfortably saved by Tomasz Wroblewski.
- Both teams began exchanging fouls in the midfield before ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ put their first shot on goal in the 29th from a Scott Vatne free kick.
- Vatne would find himself at the top of the box with a free kick chance in the 41st minute. Set up by Calle Edelstam, Vatne unleashed a shot that went bar-down and found itself in the back of the net to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead going into the halftime break.
- The second 45 began similarly to the first with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ grabbing a corner kick early and the midfield of each team struggling for possession.
- Campbell increased their chances with added offensive pressure, but the backline continued to hold firm with a 1-0 lead.
- ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ took a spell of possession in the 67th minute and made it count. After a shot from Ryan Manna was blocked, the ball found the feet of Connor Mucchetti. Mucchetti faked a shot, put the ball on his left foot and found the bottom right corner to give ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ a 2-0 lead.
- Campbell piled on the pressure trying to find a goal and found one from a free kick with just over 12 minutes to play.
- In the final 12 minutes, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ was able to see the game out to leave Buies Creek with a CAA Regular Season Championship trophy.
Notes and Stats
- The Phoenix improves to 10-6-1 on the season following the win over Campbell.
- ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s 6-2 record puts them on top of the conference by two points at the end of the regular season. With the win, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ clinches the CAA Regular Season title as well as the number one seed in the 2024 CAA Men’s Soccer Championship.
- The CAA Regular Season title is ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s second in the last three years with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ also taking home the Regular Season title in 2022.
- Scott Vatne bagged his tenth goal of the season in the win against Campbell. His ten goals are the first double-digit goal season since Elijah Agu scored 11 in the 2016 season. Vatne’s 27 points are the most by an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ player since Jason Waterman had 31 in the 2013 season.
- Connor Mucchetti scored his third goal of the season in the win over the Camels. He becomes the fourth player this season with three goals or more joining: Vatne, Colin Veltri and Victor Stromsten.
- Calle Edelstam picked up an assist in the win over Campbell.
- Tomasz Wroblewski made a pair of saves in the win over the Camels.