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.
Embry-Riddle opens the 2013 season on the road against Georgia Gwinnett in Lawrenceville, Ga. on Saturday, Aug, 31 at 7 p.m. The Eagles return home to host NCAA II No. 9 Rollins on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.
