DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team hosted Rollins on Wednesday night, the home sides senior night. The Eagles scored two goals in the second half but it wasn't enough as Rollins came out on top, 5-2.
Felix Lohmeyer and
Joao Belmonte were the goal scorers for the Blue and Gold, finding the back of the net within three minutes of each other. With the loss, ERAU drops to 2-10 on the year while Rollins improves to 8-7.
The Eagles got off to a rocky start conceding the first goal to the Tars in the 10th minute of action as Brett Durrance hammered in a shot from the top of the box. Rollins netted another goal in the 18th minute to take a 2-0 lead as Alexis Martinez volleyed in a free kick.
The Tars held possession through much of the first half but in the 33rd minute the Eagles saw their first real chance of the night.
Tobias Gerber found the ball at his feet from the top of the box but the opportunity rolled right into the arms of the goalkeeper, Drew Trautmann.
With one second remaining in the half Rollins struck for the third time. James Crowley put away a long pass from Andre Nansen as time expired.
Out of the gate in the second half, the Eagles took an attacking mindset but it was Rollins again who scored. Fritz Engel found the back of the net following a corner kick from the right side.
The Eagles surged onwards with an opportunity a few minutes later.
Daniel Gylfason sped up the middle of the field and fed the ball out wide to
Pierre Hertin who crossed it high and long from the end line. The ball found the head of
Eric LaVerne in the far right corner of the box. He headed it strongly towards net but it landed in the arms of Trautmann.
Rollins added a fifth goal in the 67th minute. James Crowley netted his second score of the night following
Jeff Bone's initial save on Matt Volk's shot.
The Eagles shocked Rollins just 30 seconds later with their first goal in four games.
Viktor Hafsteinsson sent in a cross that found the head of Lohmeyer to put the Eagles on the scoreboard.
Less than three minutes later, Belmonte connected for the Eagles second goal of the night. Gylfason was dragged down about 30 yards out and the home side was awarded a free kick. Belmonte took that kick and sailed it just past the defenders wall and into the left side of the net.
Pushing for more goals, the Eagles took three more shots before the game ended but were unable to undo the damage the Tars had done, falling 5-2.
The Eagles registered their highest mark of the season in shots on goal in the game, taking six.
Embry-Riddle will have another match with Florida Tech on Saturday, Oct. 31. The Eagles defeated the Panthers on their first meeting of the season, 1-0 on Oct. 7. The game kicks off at 7pm in Melbourne, Fla.
