DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Embry-Riddle faced a tough NCAA Division II opponent for the second-straight game and unfortunately for the Eagles, the result wasn't much different than the first contest. ERAU (0-2) fell to Florida Tech (1-0) by a score of 3-1.

FIT came out strong, getting a goal into the net in the first six minutes of the match. After senior goalkeeper Stephanie Taylor came out of the goal near the six-foot box to block a shot from Therese Svensson, the FIT forward took advantage of the ball that had just bounced off of Taylor's gloves by sending it to Teresa Brantley. Brantley then knocked the ball to the left of Taylor, putting the Panthers up 1-0.

Another goal by FIT at in the eighth minute of the game by Svensson made for an action-packed start to the game in front of a ERAU Soccer Stadium crowd of 189. The score stayed at a stand-still for the rest of the first half. ERAU was close to scoring as the clock ticked down towards the half. Sophomore captain Sarah Hirst had the ball deep into FIT territory, shot it over to junior defender Amanda Diego, who then passed it to freshman forward Elina Johansson. Admist a sea of Maroon and White jerseys, Johansson was able to get enough air to head the ball towards an awaiting Melissa Pyles, FIT goalkeeper, who notched another save as time expired.

The score may have been stagnant but the ball continuously moved all over the field, becoming a battle of the defenses. Junior Dena Rozalsky was fierce for the Eagles, staying close to each member of FIT that came in her vicinity. Hirst and sophomore defender Kristen Phelps showcased their speed throughout the first half.

With just over 10 minutes off the clock in the second half, the tide appeared to be turning in the favor of the Eagles. Senior midfielder Valerie Rogers set up for the corner kick, raised her arm and booted the ball into sophomore midfielder Lindsey Evans. Evans, waiting just inside the six-foot box, bounced the ball off of her head to sophomore forward Chloe Cowart. Cowart kicked the ball all the way to the back of the net off of a high bounce and past a diving Pyles, cutting the FIT lead in half.

DeeDee Newland answered back for the Panthers in the 65th minute, testing Taylor's agility and bouncing a goal off of her gloves. Unfortunately for Embry-Riddle and a testament to the FIT squad, the score remained at 3-1 for the remainder of the game.

ERAU now begins a streak of six away games, starting this weekend with two games in Hattiesburg, Miss. Friday's game is at 5 p.m. against William Carey. On Saturday, ERAU will face Lambuth at 5 p.m.