DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team notched a pair of firsts in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over visiting St. Thomas at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium: finding the win column for the first time in 2014 and knocking off the Bobcats at home for the first time since the 2007 season. The Eagles (1-2-1) scored three first-half goals to handle St. Thomas (1-9-0) to even their Sun Conference mark at 1-1-0 while STU dropped to 1-2-0 in league play.

For the first time in five matches, the Eagles failed to draw first blood, but bounced back nicely as a trio of Eagles netted goals in the contest, led by Veit Couturier's brace. Embry-Riddle will look to stretch its victory into a winning streak on Saturday when the Blue and Gold welcomes Florida Memorial to Daytona Beach for a 7 p.m. contest at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium.

After falling behind 1-0 in the 12th minute when keeper Nils Carlson mishandled a long, lofted shot by the Bobcats' Olaando Lawrence, ERAU struck back with the equalizer in the 17th minute of action. Lewis Blackmore threaded a pass to Moriba Ballah just outside the box and the sophomore midfielder touched it once past STU's goalie Jack Hubbard and slotted home his second score of the year to knot the game at 1-1.

The Bobcats continued to earn corner kicks in the match (10 total), but nearly every corner was followed by a whistle for a STU foul, keeping the Bobcats from mounting too many chances in the first period.

Three consecutive fouls were called on St. Thomas with 15 minutes left in the half, and on the ensuing free kick Couturier notched his first goal of the evening with a perfectly placed shot into the lower right-hand corner of the net from 20 yards out.

The Eagles, bouyoued by the go-ahead goal from Couturier, attacked the STU defense for the final 10 minutes of the half, and at the 43:11 mark, broke through with their third score of the night when substitute Jordan Thorpe made a beautiful pass to Daniel Gylfason and the freshman from Keflavik, Iceland made a great finish as the Eagles enjoyed a 3-1 lead heading into the half.

After halftime, it was the Eagles that came out aggressively, firing three shots that were on frame, including a Couturier shot that was saved by a Bobcat defender in the 51st minute. A few moments later, Blackmore found Couturier in front of the STU goal with a head-high pass and Couturier added to his goal total for a 4-1 Embry-Riddle advantage.

ERAU enjoyed the better opportunities the remainder of the night until an unfortunate hand ball was called on an Eagle defender in the box. However, Mark Heinking's effort from the PK spot was turned away by Carlson for his second penalty save of the year, keeping the game at 4-1 in favor of the hosts, and the Bobcats did not threaten again.

Embry-Riddle outshot the Bobcats 18-13, with a 10-4 advantage in shots on target. Carlson made three saves for the Blue and Gold as ERAU earned its 20th all-time victory against St. Thomas.