WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team hit the road to face Rollins in Winter Park, Fla. on Saturday afternoon.
Though the Eagles (2-9-1, 2-7-1 Sunshine State Conference) were only outshot 13-12, ERAU was unable to find the back of the net. Rollins (10-5-0, 4-5-0 SSC) converted on three of its chances to come away with a 3-0 victory.
Possession favored Rollins for the majority of the first half. As both teams settled in, the Eagles were able to gain more control of the ball, however, they were unable to convert on their chances.
ERAU had an opportunity to take the lead just eight minutes into the match.
Toby Cassidy's cross found
Olav Olsen Aamlid who was able to sneak behind the Tars' backline. Aamlid was fouled from behind to reward ERAU with a free kick just outside the box.
Alex O'Brien's shot off the free kick had plenty of power, but it sliced wide left.
The match did not remain tied for much longer. At the 15-minute mark, the Rollins attack sent a cross into the box. The ball took a deflection which set Damian Clarke up with a chip shot in front of goal to give the Tars a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles had several chances to stop Rollins' momentum and tie the match. Cassidy sent another cross into Aamlid who attempted a sliding shot in front of goal, however, his attempt was unable to find the mark. Less than a minute later,
Roberto Whitley was able to find
Tim-Frederik Lange in the box. Lange shot the ball first time, but the Rollins goalkeeper made a clutch save to preserve its lead.
With 13 minutes remaining in the first half, the Tars' Andre Nansen sent a cross into the box that connected with the head of Kevin Da Rocha Figueira. Figueira's header in front of goal left no time for
Will Hanisch to react. This gave Rollins a 2-0 lead which it held through to halftime.
The second half of play was largely uneventful. After a blocked shot in the first five minutes of the half, neither side was able to get a shot off for another 25 minutes.
ERAU struggled to create good opportunities in the second half. The Blue and Gold were only able to muster two shots in the period. The Eagles best chance in the second half came after they were awarded with a free kick outside the box. Whitley's shot was on target, but it was saved by the Tars' goalkeeper.
As time winded down, Rollins' Luis Diego scored the Tars' third goal of the match. Diego, a senior playing his last home match for Rollins, netted his first career goal when he beat the keeper in a one-on-one situation with a minute left in the game.
Cassidy led the Eagles with four shot attempts. Whitley finished with two shots, both of which were on goal.
The Blue and Gold will finish its season on Tuesday at home. The match against Palm Beach Atlantic will kickoff at 7 p.m.