WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team opened Sun Conference play on Wednesday night against Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Eagles got nine saves from goalkeeper
Nils Carlson, but it wasn't enough as the Blue and Gold lost 3-2 in double overtime.
The Eagles (1-5, 0-1 TSC) got on the board first as
Nicklas Petersson beat his man to the ball in the right corner and his cross found
Viktor Gudnason who had a nice touch pass to Alexander McDonald who placed the ball just inside the left post to give the Blue and Gold the 1-0 advantage.
Northwood (4-2, 1-0 TSC) had a great chance to score in the 41
st minute off a set piece. Victor Lindstrom took a header that was stopped by
Nils Carlson and then Sami Lahtinen got a touch on the loose ball but was blocked as
Luis Velasquez held the near post, turning back the Seahawks attack.
The Seahawks outshot the Eagles 8-5, including a 6-2 edge on goal. McDonald was responsible for both shots on goal and Carlson had five saves.
Northwood came out slow in the second period, but were able to get the equalizer on a penalty kick by Liam McInally. The PK came after Velasquez was called for an illegal tackle in the box.
Northwood took the lead in the 66
th minute off a set piece as Olli Isosalo took a corner from the near side and his cross found the head of Victor Lindstrom who found the net, giving NU the 2-1 lead.
Petersson netted his first goal of the season, the equalizer in the 79
th minute.
Veit Couturier gave Petersson a tight touch pass which he used to dribble past his defender and placed the ball in the near lower 90, tying the score at two.
Embry-Riddle had a chance to score in the closing seconds of regulation as
Veit Couturier's shot from 25 feet curled and hit the far post.
Nicklas Petersson had one more shot as his header was stopped by the Seahawks goalie.
The Eagles outshot the Seahawks 11-8 in the second half, but were outscored 2-1 in the period.
The two teams entered overtime tied at two goals each. Northwood came out aggressive in the extra period, but couldn't capitalize on two early scoring chances. The Eagles countered with two looks of their own but failed to convert and the game remained all-square after the first overtime.
Neither team took control in the second overtime until Northwood received a corner kick in the 105
th minute. Isosalo took the kick that was tapped by Mayowa Tola-Issac, the loose ball was then picked up by Joe Hughes who snuck the ball just past Velasquez on the near post, for the game-winning goal.
The Eagles finished the game with 20 shots, seven on goal and six corner kicks while Northwood tallied 22 shots, 13 on goal and 11 corner kicks.
The Eagles look to get back to their winning ways they continue conference play in Miami, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 22 for a match against Johnson & Wales.
