DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Embry-Riddle's men's soccer team captured its fourth Sun Conference victory on Wednesday evening, dropping visiting Warner, 1-0 at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium.
Daniel Gylfason's 51st-minute goal was the difference in a contest that saw the Eagles (4-2-3, 4-1-1) dominate the first 50 minutes of action before the Royals (4-7-1, 2-4-1) had their fair share of chances in the final portions of the match.
The Blue and Gold will take on Webber International on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Babson Park, Fla. where game time is slated for 3:30 p.m.
ERAU took over sole possession of third place in The Sun Conference standings with three points against Warner thanks to Gylfason's score and a defense that allowed just two shots on goal to the visitors in 90 minutes of action.
Embry-Riddle took charge in the opening period, outshooting the Royals 11-5, with none of WU's shots on frame. The Eagles' frustration grew as Warner keeper Leo Viala made several fantastic saves in the first half to deny the hosts from going ahead, including a Gylfason shot from point-blank range and a
Jason Alvarez effort that seemed destined for the back of the net.
Viala made three of his five saves in the first half, and the two teams entered the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Veit Couturier managed a header a few moments after the second half began, but again, Viala was there, making the stop at the 47:14 mark.
The Eagles finally broke through in the 51st minute when Alvarez played Couturier in the middle of the field and the senior flicked a pass to a streaking Gylfason who was past his defender and beat Viala for the game-winner.
ERAU kept up the offensive pressure over the next several minutes of play, but none of the Eagles' shots were on target, and the Royals nearly drew even in the 57th minute when both Bruno da Silva and Luis Rico saw their shots saved by
Nils Carlson for his only two saves of the evening.
Warner outshot the Eagles 3-2 over the final 30 minutes, but the Embry-Riddle back line held steady and did not allow a shot over the final 17 minutes of play.
ERAU doubled-up on the Royals in shots for the game (20-10) with a 6-2 advantage in shots on target. Carlson picked up his third shutout of the year and extended his Embry-Riddle career shutout record to 24.
Couturier had his streak of scoring in every match of 2014 snapped, but did push his consecutive matches with a point streak to nine games. The Loerrach, Germany native also jumped into the top eight all-time in career assists (23) and moved into a tie of third all-time in career points (121) with Eagle legend
Paul Buckley.
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