ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss on Wednesday, falling 2-1 to Eckerd (2-4, 1-2) in overtime at the Tritons' Johnson Field. The Eagles rallied from a one-goal deficit to tie the game in the second half, but were unable to pull out the win, falling to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Sunshine State Conference.
 
"The game of soccer can be cruel and tonight was an example of that," ERAU Head Coach Samantha Bohon said. "We executed our game plan and continually had the ball in their end with chances. But, we have to put the ball in the net and keep them from scoring. They were extremely efficient offensively, scoring on the only two shots on goal all night. It's heartbreaking for our kids as they worked hard and played well. We need to create a bit of luck for ourselves. Credit Danielle [Foutopolous] and the Eckerd team for finding a way to get the result tonight."
 
The Eagles bested the Tritons in shots (6-2) and corners (4-1) in the first half, but it was the home team that took a 1-0 lead into the break as Abby Sanchez slipped a ball in behind the ERAU defense to Kayla Gray who finished the pass in the 42^nd minute.
 
The Eagles started the second half with new resolve and that translated into a goal just 10 minutes into the frame. Annie Gelnaw battled to win the ball on the right side of the field. Her short cross from just outside the box found Emmie Johansson at point blank range and the junior finished her run down the center of the field by heading home Gelnaw's pass to tie the score at 1-1.
 
The Eagles continued to dominate the offense in the second half, as evidenced by a 9-3 shot advantage, but the Tritons, behind six saves in regulation by Casey Winn, managed to keep the Eagles from adding to their tally to send the game into overtime.
 
ERAU was the first to mount a threat in overtime, but less than two minutes later, Paula Astiazaran took the ball in from the midfield and fought off a defender before her shot found the lower right corner to give Eckerd the win.
 
The Eagles return to the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium on Saturday for a 6 p.m. tilt against Barry.