MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team suffered their second loss to an NCAA opponent, this time a 5-4 defeat against NCAA Division II Florida Tech on Saturday afternoon at Rick Stottler Field.

The Eagles (1-2) got the scoring started early as Veit Couturier netted his third goal of the season. Ally McDonald possessed the ball and found a hole to get the ball to Couturier who dribbled through three defenders in the penalty area and found the net in the upper 90 scoring the first goal in the fourth minute.

Florida Tech (3-0) was quick to counter, scoring in the seventh minute. Robbie Menendez had his first shot blocked, however, the Eagle defense failed to gain possession and Menendez was able to knock his rebound past Carlson to even the score at one.

Six minutes later the Panthers found the net again this time off a set piece. Antoine Aupiais headed home a cross-field throw-in by Robbie Russell who reached the far post on the fly to net the assist.

Kamil Balcerzak got the equalizer for the Eagles in the 15^th minute, heading home a perfect cross from Couturier. The tie was short-lived as Aupiais possessed an errant pass by the Eagle defense and beating Carlson in a one-v-one battle, giving the Panthers the 3-2 lead.

The final tally of the first half came in the 19^th minute off the foot of Viktor Gudnason, who was able to settle a blocked shot at the top of the penalty area, hammering home the equalizer through traffic, tying the game at three.

The teams traded runs in the final 20 minutes but neither team got a good look. The Eagles outshot the Panthers 10-7 in the half.

The Blue and Gold broke the tie in the 65^th minute as McDonald connected on a penalty kick after Gudnasson was taken down inside the penalty area. Panthers Gary Ogilvie delivered the equalizer in the 82^nd minute. Drake Hillman got a shot on goal following another cross field throw-in by Robbie Russell, however, Carlson was up to the challenge. Ogilvie was in the right spot and punched home the rebound for the 4-4 tie.

The decisive goal came in the 87^th minute as Embry-Riddle was called for an apparent foul inside the penalty area. The call allowed the Panthers a penalty kick which Ogilvie snuck under a diving Carlson for the 5-4 lead.

Embry-Riddle was outshot in the second half, 7-6, but outshot the Panthers 16-14 in the game.

The Blue and Gold return to the pitch on Friday, September 14 as the Eagles travel to Orange Beach, Ala. to face Mobile at 7 p.m.