DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team snapped its losing streak on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over Florida Tech. This marks the first win for the Eagles against a Sunshine State Conference opponent in their first season of provisional league membership. Pierre Hertin scored the game winner for the Blue and Gold in the 67^th minute of action.
 
"We're obviously very happy," said Assistant Coach John Haworth. "It's the first win in the Sunshine State for the men's soccer program. The boys are ecstatic and also very tired. They worked exceptionally hard for each other out there, covering each other and pushing each other along. They deserve all the credit in the world. It hasn't been easy but they snapped a five-game losing steak. We kept a clean sheet in the process and beat a very good FIT team."
 
The first half began with several fast-paced runs from Felix Lohmeyer, including a close call on a through ball from Daniel Gylfason. However, Lohmeyer collided with Panther goalkeeper Christopher Page and the ball was cleared by the defense.
 
Moriba Ballah also came close to giving the Eagles a goal in the 31^st minute. The ball was sent in off a corner kick and found Ballah in the box. He volleyed it toward the net, but the Panthers were able to clear it off the line.
 
Just before halftime, it was Ballah again with a chance. He had a clear shot at goal after receiving a pass from Gylfason, but collided with a defender and was awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Hertin took the kick but it sailed just over the crossbar.
 
With the game tied at 0-0, the start of the second half was much more energized and fast-paced, as both teams were hungry for a goal.
 
After much back and forth action, Hertin finally broke the game open, netting his first career goal for the Eagles in the 67^th minute. Gylfason battled to win a ball at midfield and passed it off to Ali Amiri. Using his speed, Amiri managed to get up field and then sent the ball through the defense, splitting two defenders to find the feet of Hertin. He then sidestepped the goalkeeper and easily slotted the ball into the back of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
 
To preserve the win in the 81^st minute, Jeff Bone came off his line to grab a ball in the midst of a breakaway play just before the Panther player could get a shot off. He also made two other spectacular saves earlier in the match.
 
The Eagles move to 2-5 on the year, notching their first shutout win of the season, while the Panthers drop to 3-4-1 on the year.
 
"It was all positives for us tonight," Haworth added. "Now we get a little bit of time off until we travel to Lakeland. We look forward to going again and hopefully getting another positive result."
 
Embry-Riddle returns to action at Florida Southern on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The game is set to begin at 7pm.