DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – While Tuesday night was the Embry-Riddle men's soccer team's first-ever contest as a provisional member of NCAA II, the Eagles faced a familiar foe in Sun Conference member Southeastern, a former conference rival of the Blue and Gold. The two teams met in Lakeland last year and fought to a 1-1 draw. On Tuesday night, Moriba Ballah found the back of the net twice to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 win.
 
With the victory, ERAU goes to 1-0 on the year, while Southeastern falls to 3-2 in 2015.
 
"I'm absolutely thrilled to get the season off and going," Head Coach Dave Gregson said. "I think we were one of the last teams to get going in the NCAA this year, and to be able to go up against a team that's already played four games and get the result was fantastic. It's always nice to win the first game of the season.
 
"We've got a very solid foundation and while we know we can play a lot better, the boys played well as a unit. I'm very proud of our guys and the heart they showed tonight."
 
The first 20 minutes of the match didn't feature much offense, as just one shot was attempted by either side. Then the proverbial floodgates opened in the 25th minute, when three goals were scored in the span of just 100 seconds.
 
Southeastern got on the board first as Grayson Wilkes scored off a corner kick from Pedro Ivo Dias at the 24:15 mark. Just over a minute later, Ballah answered with the Eagles' first goal of the season, scoring on a half volley from just outside the six-yard box off of a pass from James Pass at the 25:24 mark.
 
31 seconds after Ballah tied the game, Daniel McClintock put the home team in front, heading home a cross from Pierre Hertin to give ERAU a 2-1 lead.
 
The Blue and Gold maintained its 2-1 advantage throughout the rest of the first half, despite SEU earning four more corner kicks and taking four shots, two of which were on target and one off the foot of Gerritson Craane that hit the post just 7:02 before halftime.
 
As the second half began, the Fire looked to build on the momentum they had established towards the end of the first half. Southeastern earned four corner kicks in the first six minutes of the period as the visitors searched for the equalizer, but the Embry-Riddle back line held strong, limiting the Fire to just one shot during that stretch.
 
The Eagles were able to turn the tide of momentum as Ballah netted his second goal of the night in the 54th minute, scoring on a diving volley just inside the six-yard box off of a cross from Ali Amiri, who had raced down the side of the pitch to create the scoring opportunity.
 
Southeastern continued to attack throughout the final half hour, peppering a total of seven second-half shots towards the Eagle goal. Senior goalkeeper Jeff Bone, making his first start as an Eagle, came up with a big save in the 73rd minute to deny Nick Wilson. Bone and the Eagle defense held firm over the final minutes to hold on for the 3-1 win.
 
The Blue and Gold return to action on Saturday, Sept. 12 to host Thomas, another NAIA member and former Sun Conference rival. The Night Hawks are ranked 11th in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Kick off is slated for 7 p.m.