MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team fell to Florida Tech on Saturday night, 2-1. Derek Griesheim scored for the Eagles in the 77^th minute of action, just minutes after entering the game. The Panthers improve to 7-5-2 on the year as ERAU goes to 2-11.
 
The Eagles applied pressure early in the match and were rewarded with several good looks at net in the opening minutes. The first being in the eighth minute as Ali Amiri won a ball at midfield streaked up the side.  He sent in a cross that twisted into a shot but the goalkeeper, Mitch Thorn, caught it at the line.
 
In the 11^th minute Magnus Mangnusson switched the field to a wide-open Pierre Hertin on the left sideline. Hertin laid the ball into the box to Joao Belmonte who volleyed it towards goal but it was just left of the post.
 
Jason Van Achteren had a close call three minutes later as he took a shot following a Belmonte free kick. It was blocked in the box by a Panther defender and went out for an Eagle corner kick.
 
Churning more opportunities for the Eagles, Belmonte sent in a pass to Tobias Gerber in the box at the 18-minute mark. Gerber took a hard shot that was just barely deflected off a defender for a corner kick.
 
Minutes later the Panthers had a good chance but Hertin stepped in to tap it away from the Florida Tech player's feet. Jeff Bone then came out of his net to boot the ball out of danger.
 
In the 23^rd minute, Felix Lohmeyer ripped a shot but it sailed right into Thorn's hands. Robert Wojtkun also had a chance in the half. He found the ball at his feet in the 41^st minute following Ali Amiri's long ball towards net. Wojtkun's attempt was just wide.
 
Bone came up big with a save to end the first half, leaving the score knotted at 0-0.
 
Florida Tech took control of the game in the second half and added two quick goals in the 53^rd and 55^th minute. The first was following a corner kick as Bone made the initial save on the shot but the ball went right back out to Will Henderson and he put it away. The second goal was a cross from the right end line and Josh Thomas scored from the left post position.
 
The Eagles had an opportunity of their own in the 58^th minute as Sean Meade took a shot. Van Achteren laid it off to him at the top of the box but it sailed right at goalkeeper Christopher Page who made the save.
 
In the 77^th minute, ERAU got on the scoreboard. Felix Lohmeyer went on a fast break and got dragged down just outside the box. He took the ensuing free kick and knocked it off the left post. The ball then jumped around inside the box before Eric LaVerne touched it to Derek Griesheim who hammered it into the back of the net to bring the Eagles within one of FIT. However, the comeback attempt was too late as the Eagles couldn't find the equalizer in the remaining minutes, falling 2-1.
 
Embry-Riddle has a week of rest before traveling to California for the season finale. The Eagles take on Cal State – San Marcos on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1pm PST.