DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle played their 2017 season opener on Thursday night in what was an exciting evening for the program and University. The Eagles could not overcome an early deficit and would fall by a final score of 3-0 to Francis Marion (S.C.). Thursday's contest marked the first official NCAA II game for the men's soccer team and the Embry-Riddle Athletic Department as a whole with 1,352 fans witnessing the historic contest.
 
Levin Sandmann would tally the first goal of the contest for the Patriots thanks to an assist by Jevon Williams in the fourth minute, giving the visitors an early lead they would not relinquish.
 
The Patriots would score once more before the end of the first half with Gaspard Mianne setting up teammate Adrian Merino from 15 yards out, giving FMU the two-goal lead going into the break.
 
It did not take long for Francis Marion to increase their lead in the second half. Jordan Dechere took the ball half the length of the field and drilled a bullet to the far post, extending the lead to 3-0 with 35 minutes left in regulation.
 
The Eagles had several opportunities to tally their first goal of the season, putting up 17 shots in the contest.  However, the Eagles could not convert on those opportunities, falling by the 3-0 final.
 
Despite the three-goal deficit, the Eagles out-shot the Patriots, 17-9, with four of ERAU's shots on frame. Freshman Teddy West tallied four shots, with two on target, while Daniel Gylfason and Tim-Frederik Lange registered four shots and three shots, respectively. Richard Dearle (0-1) made two saves in the loss.
 
The Eagles will return to action on Monday, Sept. 4^th, in a battle against Coker College at Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. First touch is set to come at 7 p.m.