MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team struggled to find an offensive rhythm against the no. 7 seed Florida Memorial Lions in the semifinals of the Sun Conference Championship at Bobcat field on Friday, losing 2-0.
The Eagles started slow as the Lions dominated play for much of the first half, but was the inability of the Embry-Riddle defense to clear the ball that led to Florida Memorial's first goal.
In the 28
th minute, the Lions were able to capitalize on their sixth shot on goal. Florida Memorial's Pablo Godoy fired a shot which Embry-Riddle goalkeeper
Nils Carlson knocked away, settling at the feet of Mario Scapparone, his shot was stymied as well. Danilo Tavares settled the rebound and gave a quick touch to Scapparone who placed the ball in the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The Eagles struggled to find a rhythm offensively, being outshot 12-2 in the first half, including a 6-1 edge in shots on frame. It was a physical first half as well, with 13 fouls being called, 11 against the Lions and two against the Blue and Gold.
The physical play continued into the second half, with three more cards being issued in the early going. However, the Eagles continued to struggle on the offensive end.
Florida Memorial increased its lead to two with another opportunistic goal. Marcelo Barbosa fired a shot from just inside the penalty area which Carlson had to jump to save. The ball bounced off his hands and the Lions' Ignacio Brown was awaiting the loose ball, placing it in the lower right corner for the goal.
Florida Memorial continued to apply the pressure and the Eagles could not break through. Embry-Riddle struggled to mount an attack and was limited to just two shots in the second half, none on frame.
Carlson made seven saves in the contest, while Lions' goalkeeper Pablo Terminiello was seldom tested, making two saves, both in the firs thalf.
The loss ends the season for the Eagles, who finish the 2012 campaign with an 8-9 overall ledger. Florida Memorial advances to face the winner of the second Sun Conference semifinal between No. 5 seed Northwood and No. 1 seed St. Thomas.
