GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#11 Embry-Riddle (11-2) at NCAA II Flagler (8-4-3)
DATE: Friday, Nov. 3, 2013
CITY: St. Augustine, Fla.
SITE: Saints Field
START: 7 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Stretch Internet
EMBRY-RIDDLE'S LAST 5 GAMES: 4-1
EMBRY-RIDDLE'S LAST 10 GAMES: 9-1
EMBRY-RIDDLE ON THE ROAD IN 2013: 6-1
FLAGLER AT HOME IN 2013: 3-2-2
AT A GLANCE
Embry-Riddle and Flagler meet in both team's regular season finale on Friday evening in St. Augustine, reigniting the rivalry for the first time during the regualr season since 2011. The Eagles are coming off their first loss in over a month at the hands of Thomas, while the Saints are also coming off a loss (3-0 to Coker).
ABOUT THE SAINTS
Flagler has been in and around the NCAA II top 25 for most of the 2013 season, falling just outside the rankings this past week after a 3-0 loss to Coker. The Saints have been in several tight games, outscoring their opponents 25-22 in 15 matches/
The vast majority of the Saints' offense runs through Zach Shanahan and Marco Warren as the two have combined for 14 goals and eight assists on 62 shots (33 on frame).
Goalkeeper Camp Bissell is 7-2-3 with 42 saves in 15 contests.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET (EXHIBITION)
Aug. 26, 2013 - DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer team finished up its preseason matches on Sunday night with a 4-2 victory over visiting NCAA II Flagler in front of a capacity crowd at the ERAU Soccer Stadium. The Saints, ranked No. 10 in the NSCAA Preseason Coaches Poll, struck first, but the Eagles stormed back with three unanswered goals en route to the exhibition win.
The Blue and Gold, under the direction of Dave Gregson, now in his 20th season at the helm of the Eagles, outshot Flagler 21-8, including a 6-4 advantage in shots on frame. Four different Eagles found the back of the net, including newcomer
Sigurbergur Elisson and seniors
Nicklas Petersson,
Viktor Gudnason and
Alexander MacDonald.
Stephen Pratt put the visitors up in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a good run by Jackie Kay who crossed the ball in front of
Nils Carlson and the Eagles' net where Pratt buried the ball for a 1-0 Saint advantage.
Nine Eagle subs entered the contest in the 28th minute and the momentum immediately switched to the home side as just six minutes later Elisson scored on a Petersson cross to even the match at 1-1.
The Eagles continued to pepper the Flagler goal and got a breakthrough in the 43rd minute when MacDonald finished another Petersson cross for the Blue and Gold, putting the Eagles in front for good.
It didn't take Embry-Riddle long to increase the lead once the second half started as Gudnason pushed the advantage to 3-1 in the 52nd minute. However, the Saints answered quickly two minutes later as Marco Warren cut the Eagle lead to 3-2 with the second FC goal of the evening.
The Eagles controlled the ball and pace of the match the rest of the way, allowing the Saints just two more shots (one on goal) and Petersson put a cap on the night with an 81st minute goal to go along with his two assists, accounting for the 4-2 decision.
SETTING UP THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
The Eagles have clinched the No. 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the 2013 TSC Tournament. ERAU will host the No. 8 seed in the tournament on Nov. 9, the opponent being either Florida Memorial or Warner. The Royals wrap up their league schedule on Saturday against Ave Maria. If Warner wins on Saturday, then the Eagles will play FMU in the tournament quarterfinals, if Warner draws or losses, then the Royals and Eagles will meet up in the tournament.
The first round matchups look like this:
#1 Embry-Riddle vs. Warner/Florida Memorial
#2 Thomas vs. Warner/Florida Memorial
#3 Webber International vs. #6 Southeastern
#4 Northwood vs. #5 SCAD Savannah
ONE OF THE ELITE COACHES
In the midst of his 20th season at the helm of Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer, Dave Gregson ranked 13th in the NAIA on the active winningest coaching list. Gregson's 230-120-25 record through 20 seasons of play gives him a .646 winning percentage.
