DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ? Two second-half goals lifted the Embry-Riddle men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Berry College on Saturday. With the win, Embry-Riddle improves to 6-2-3 overall, while Berry falls to 6-3-1.
The Vikings got on the scoreboard in the sixth minute of the game after a breakaway by Jorg Bergmann pitted him one-on-one against Embry-Riddle goalkeeper Alfredo Diaz. Bergmann fired a shot from just outside the six-yard box and found the back of the net to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Eagles best opportunity to tie the game came in the 20th minute after Marco Harleman pressured the defense, forcing a turnover deep within Viking territory. Yoffe recovered the ball and drove a shot to the far post, but the ball drifted just wide of the net.
Bergmann had another chance to score after he freed himself from an Embry-Riddle defender, resulting in another one-on-one battle with the goalkeeper. Bergmann took the shot, but this time, Diaz dove and got a piece of the ball to keep Berry from increasing their lead.
Embry-Riddle had several free kick opportunities from right outside the Viking's 18-yard box, but the tight defense of Berry kept the Eagles from converting on the set plays.
The Eagles came out aggressive in the second half, taking three quick shots in hopes of scoring the equalizer. At the 65:00 minute mark exaclty, Phil Middleton gained control of the ball 30 yards off the end line. He split two defenders, dribbled by a few more white jerseys, then ripped a shot that flew past Edwards and fell in the bottom corner of the net for his first goal on the season.
Eight minutes later, Joe Yoffe recovered a turnover in the middle of the field, dribbled up a few yards and sent a sharp pass out to Sam Litchfield, who then teed up and fired a hard shot. Edwards deflected the ball, but it ended up right at the feet of Yoffe, who quickly drove the ball to the back of the net to put the Eagles up 2-1.
The Vikings increased their tempo after the goals were scored, firing several threatening shots, but the Eagles' defense found a way to keep Berry off the scoreboard in the second half, giving the Blue and Gold a 2-1 victory at home.
The Eagles return to conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Lake Wales, Fla. to face Warner Southern.
