The NC State men’s soccer team continued its losing skid after falling to Elon 2-0 on Tuesday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.

After Elon put away two first half goals, NC State was unable to provide an answer offensively.

The Wolfpack drop to 1-4-0 on the year and the Phoenix improve to 4-1-1.

“I think we looked worried,” head coach Kelly Findley said. “You just can’t do that. You have to take every game at face value and you have to play that next game.”

The Wolfpack was put into an early hole when a costly turnover in the final third led to an Elon score, putting them up 1-0 in the 18th minute. After NC State lost possession, Elon forward Elijah Agu was able to capitalize on a cross from midfielder Nick Adamczyk.

“You can’t give away soft goals.” Findley said. “We looked flat.”

Tempers flared between the two teams after a hard foul in the 31st minute by Elon midfielder Jack Willbye on senior midfielder Lukas Zarges, which forced him to exit for the remainder of the match. After the foul, the two teams engaged in what appeared to be heated conversation and slight physical altercations. The refs separated the two teams quickly and play eventually continued.

Both teams continued to play a physical game for the rest of the night, as several players were given yellow cards by the referee.

The Phoenix appeared to catch NC State snoozing in the 41st minute after Elon forward Jaiden Fortune flicked the ball behind him into the box, allowing midfielder Austin Hill to run on to it and hit it off the bounce, beating NC State goalkeeper Alex McCauley and extending the lead 2-0 for the half.

In the final 10 seconds of the first half, the Wolfpack threatened to score, but came up just short. A close shot by junior Caleb Duvernay was blocked by an Elon defender and senior Yanni Hachem’s shot was swatted away by Elon keeper Matthew Jeiger, preserving the Phoenix lead at 2-0.

The second half was an uneventful one. Neither team put any points on the board despite several good chances from both sides.

Elon’s defense prevented NC State from getting any sufficient shots on goal for most of the night. Despite accruing 13 shots and seven corner kicks, the Wolfpack was kept in check by Jeiger.

NC State more than doubled Elon’s shot count but could not capitalize on any of the opportunities.

“I think it’s a belief thing, I think the guys are worried.” Findley said. “I think we have the qualities; it’s just a matter of believing.”

The Wolfpack will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on Virginia Tech Friday night for its second ACC matchup of the year.