Elon Earns First CAA Men’s Soccer Championship In Program History
Ben Kane
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ELON, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2025) – Two first-half strikes propelled Elon past Stony Brook 3-0 to earn its first CAA Men’s Soccer Championship in program history on Sunday afternoon from Rudd Field.
Phoenix midfielder/forward
Martin Kozak was named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Performer after charting eight points in the conference tournament with two goals and four assists. Kozak set a single-game program record for points with his goal and four helpers in the CAA semifinals against Campbell.
Goalkeeper Jackson Leavitt made three saves in goal for the Phoenix, earning his record-breaking 11th clean sheet of the season. Heidar Hermannsson blocked five attempts between the posts for the Seawolves. Elon finished with a 10-6 shot advantage.
Ten minutes into the battle, a high-flying save by Leavitt set up a chain reaction of events that led to Elon’s first goal. Holding Stony Brook in its own half for the next few minutes, the Phoenix pressed the Seawolves into conceding a corner. Joe Taylor hit an in-swinging cross into a dangerous spot, with Stony Brook turning the ball into its own goal.
Looking to shake up the game, Elon Head Coach Marc Reeves substituted forward Einar Ness in the 28th minute. Fifty-six seconds after checking in, the junior found a pocket of space in the six-yard box to head home Weston Jonke’s cross and make it 2-0. Ness’ goal marked his second of the season, while Jonke’s assist doubled his tally on the campaign.
Both teams had their opportunities to add a goal in the second half, but Elon ultimately slotted a third through Kozak. Picking up the ball at the halfway line in the 88th minute, Dominik Renz drove into space and found Kozak. The Chilean took his time and chipped Hermannsson for his fifth of the season and sealed the 3-0 victory.
Elon has earned the CAA’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament, with the destination to be learned on Monday afternoon in the Selection Show.
All-Tournament Selections:
Martin Kozak – Elon (Most Outstanding Performer)
Charlie Kitch – Elon
Jackson Leavitt – Elon
Dominik Renz – Elon
Alex Fleury – Stony Brook
Jamie Orson – Stony Brook
Bruno Penney – Stony Brook
Laurie Goddard- Hofstra
Thengill Orrason - Hofstra
Evans Dapaah – Campbell
Marco Wright - Campbell
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