MEN'S SOCCER HOME OPENER SATURDAY VS. ELON

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After a grueling first five games of the season away from home, the Radford men's soccer team hosts Elon in its home opener Saturday at 6:00 p.m. inside Cupp Stadium. The Highlanders (2-2-1) faced three NCAA Tournament teams from the last season in the road stretch to begin the 2014 campaign, and the the home slate gets no easier facing a Phoenix (3-2-1) club that advanced to the second round of the NCAAs a year ago.

"We are excited to be playing at Cupp in front of what we hope to be a loud and energized crowd," Radford head coach Marc Reeves said. "We have played some really tough opponents already, and we know Elon is a talented and well-coached team. We expect our players to be fully prepared and up for the challenge."

As is tradition for the home opener at Radford, Saturday's game includes the #9 Club Ultras team scarf giveaway. This year there is also an SGA cookout prior to the game at Cupp Stadium beginning at 5:00 p.m.

"The scarf giveaway is always a special night," Reeves said. "Again, we truly appreciate the support."

The game will be carried live for free on the Big South Network.

SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
Elon is one of the top RPI opponents the Highlanders will face all season. The Phoenix have posted back-to-back 15-win seasons and have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons under head coach Darren Powell. In six games this season under first year head coach Chris Little, the Phoenix own four shutouts, including all three team victories by a 1-0 score (Loyola Marymount, Winthrop, and West Virginia). Elon played Florida International to a scoreless tie. Each of Elon's losses (Stetson and Ohio State) are by a single goal.

THE HIGHLANDERS
Radford is 2-0-1 in its last three games with 1-0 victories over East Tennessee State and Incarnate Word. The Highlanders tied Western Illinois, 2-2, in that stretch. After leading the RU defense in a game vs. Incarnate Word where the Highlanders did not allow a shot on goal, Jo Vetle Rimstad earned Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors. Stephen Hudgens scored goals in back-to-back games for the first time in his career and notched his first career game-winner in the victory over Incarnate Word.

HOME OPENERS
Radford is 17-8-5 all-time in home openers as a member of NCAA Division I and the Big South Conference.
Radford is 9-1-2 all-time in home openers at Cupp Stadium (first game in 2002).
Radford is 3-0-1 in home openers under Reeves.

THE SERIES VS. ELON
Radford leads the all-time series, 12-9-4 and leads 9-6-2 with both teams as members of the NCAA. The two teams have played every year since the 1998 season. Elon was a member of the Big South Conference from 1999 to 2002, and the Highlanders defeated the Phoenix in the 2000 Big South Tournament title game. Radford is 3-1-0 all-time vs. Elon in Cupp Stadium, including a home opening 5-1 victory in 2011. Reeves is 1-2-1 vs. Elon as head coach at RU.

2013 - Elon 1, RU 0
2012 - RU 1, Elon 1 (2ot)
2011 - RU 5, Elon 1
2010 - Elon 3, RU 1
2009 - Elon 2, RU 0
2008 - Elon 1, RU 0
2007 - RU 2, Elon 1 (2ot)
2006 - Elon 2, RU 0
2005 - RU 1, Elon 0
2004 - RU 3, Elon 0
2003 - RU 2, Elon 0
2002 - RU 1, Elon 1 (2ot)
2001 - RU 1, Elon 0
2000 - RU 2, Elon 0 [Big South Tournament]
2000 - Elon 3, RU 1
1999 - RU 5, Elon 2
1998 - RU 5, Elon 3

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