MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—The 22nd-ranked Embry-Riddle men's soccer team captured The Sun Conference title in exhilarating double overtime fashion Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Field. The second-seeded Eagles brought home their eighth conference crown with a 1-0 defeat over fifth seeded SCAD Savannah and have secured a spot in the Opening Round of the 2011 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship tournament.  

Play was slow throughout much of the first half between the Eagles (13-4-2, 7-2-0) and the Bees (7-8-3, 5-2-2) as only six shots were taken on the pitch. The Eagles however, dominated much of the offensive possession and had chances to score, but were unable to find the back of the net.

15 minutes into the first half an Eagle scoring opportunity came from a great through ball from senior Michael Donald that found Kamil Balcerzak on a run just inside the box. Balcerzak was unable to finish however as Ross Faulds made a diving stop before Balcerzak could get a shot off.   

As play continued neither team was able to score in the remaining 30 minutes of the first half. The Eagles and Bees went into the locker rooms at half tied a 0-0.

Second half play was similar to that of the first half. The Eagles dominated offensive possession, threatening to score, but the Bees were reluctant to give up a goal.  

With just over seven minutes remaining in the contest, Embry-Riddle got what was arguably their best chance to score. Anel Coralic took the ball deep into the Bees defense on left side and got off a cross for Jacob Stevenback. The cross was deflected off of a SCAD defender and went straight to Viktor Gudnason who collected, but missed high with his shot.

ERAU had one final chance with seven seconds remaining in regulation as they earned a corner kick on the right side of the field, but the Eagles were unable to convert on the set piece which sent the game into overtime.

Play went back and forth in the first overtime between both teams as there was only one scoring chance for either team. The Eagles had the only opening to score in the 92nd minute, but Balcerzak's shot missed high on the frame and sent the game into a second overtime.
Possession in the second overtime was dominated by Embry-Riddle. In the 103rd minute, the Eagles got a great look from Ally MacDonald, but Faulds was able to just get a piece of it and keep the score at 0-0. The Blue and Gold had another chance just a minute later when Gudnason fired a shot, but it was blocked by a SCAD defender, which led to a corner kick which the Eagle men were unable to convert on.

Finally, in the 105th minute, the Eagles were able to strike. The Eagles had control of the ball in SCAD territory, but it was suddenly intercepted by the back line of the Bees. As the Bees tried to get the ball out of their end of the pitch, the SCAD defender misplayed the ball and it was collected by ERAU defender Alan Vezza. Vezza, who has only scored one goal this year for the Eagles, was in perfect position just to the left of the goal and was able to tap it in past a diving Faulds for the game-winner.

The No. 22 Eagles faced some adversity coming into the tournament and had to change the starting line-up going into Saturday's championship match. Embry-Riddle was without three starters in the championship game on Saturday and almost lost a fourth when Gudnason had to leave Friday's semifinal watch with a head laceration. Gudnason received staples to close the laceration and was cleared to play in the championship game.

Sun Conference Player of the Year Sam Fairhurst, first team All-Conference forward Veit Couturier and sophomore defender Luis Velasquez were all out for the Eagles. Fairhurst received a red card in the semifinal match and Couturier and Velasquez were victims of injuries earlier in the season. Despite having three key contributors out of the starting line-up, the Eagles were able to rise to the occasion and capture their eighth conference title in program history.   

With the win, the Eagles secure a spot in the Opening Round of the 2011 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. The Eagle men will await their fate as the conclusion of other conference championships around the nation wrapped up today. The pairings for the Opening Round as well as the final Top 25 Coaches' Poll  will be released, Sunday Nov. 13.