LAKELAND, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team got big contributions from some players making returns from injury Wednesday night as they secured their first road win of the season in a 3-1 contest over Florida Southern Wednesday night at the Barnett Athletic Complex.
The Mocs (4-5-5, 2-3-4) were able to score the opening goal moments after the game started, as just over two minutes in, James Meehan got behind the Eagles' defense and scored from close range on a ball from Taylor Vincent to put the Mocs ahead.
The Eagles (4-8-0, 3-6-0) tied the game in the waning minutes of the first half as
Konstantin Kosoric, playing in just his second game back from injury, was able to score on a pass from
Nathan Hubbs for the first goal of his career in the Blue & Gold.
Embry-Riddle took a 9-4 advantage in shots into the intermission.
Jack Crichton saved a pair of shots in goal, while his opposite Phillip Faderi had seven saves. 14 fouls were called between the two teams in a physical first half of action.
The second half saw a continuation of physical play between the two sides and tough defense as quality shot opportunities were hard to come by. The score remained even at one until the 67th minute, when
Collins Maude, seeing his first extended action since October 5th due to injury, chipped a shot inside the left post on a long cross from
Christian Mather to give Embry-Riddle their first lead of the contest. The goal was junior's first of the season and his career at Embry-Riddle.
The Eagles would add an insurance goal late as Kosoric netted his second goal of the night in the 84th minute, as he beat a pair of defenders on a ball played up the length field into the Florida Southern zone by Crichton to put things all but out of reach as the score moved to 3-1.
Embry-Riddle outshot Florida Southern 17-13 in the game and held a 13-6 advantage in shots on goal. Crichton finished the evening with five saves in goal as he picked up his third win of the season.
The Eagles will wrap up regular season play on Saturday as they travel to Fort Lauderdale to take on the Sharks of Nova Southeastern University. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 PM from the NSU Soccer Complex.
