UNCW can afford a tie, but not a loss on Tuesday against Elon

WILMINGTON, NC (UNCWSPORTS.COM) — As the UNCW men’s soccer team prepares for the regular season finale on Tuesday night at Elon, the goal is clear – get at least one point in the standings and earn a berth into the Colonial Athletic Association Championship.

The Seahawks and the Phoenix, who were originally scheduled to play on Sept. 28 before inclement weather and field conditions postponed the contest, will face each other at Rudd Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Tuesday’s game against Elon provides the Seahawks an opportunity to clinch a spot in the six-team conference tournament field and a possible home game in the quarterfinals. A win or tie by the Seahawks will elevate them to third place in the league’s standings, giving UNCW one more home game this season.

The Seahawks enter Tuesday’s game looking to build some more momentum after handing Delaware a 1-0 setback on Saturday night at UNCW Soccer Stadium. Redshirt junior forward Julio Moncada, who paces the Seahawks with 19 points, notched his league-leading sixth game-winning goal in the 10th minute as UNCW limited Delaware to just two shots in the second half.

Elon, which has secured a berth in the CAA Tournament and a home game in the quarterfinals, aims to end a three-game losing streak after dropping a 3-1 decision to Hofstra on Saturday night. Junior forward Elijah Agu is tied for the league lead with 11 goals, but has not scored in the last two contests.

The Seahawks are 2-5-1 all-time against Elon and will be aiming to end a three-game losing streak against the Phoenix. UNCW dropped a 2-1 decision against Elon in last year’s meeting in Wilmington.