DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In one of the most impressive performances ever seen by a goalie in program history, Jack Crichton racked up 12 saves for the Embry-Riddle men's soccer team on Wednesday night. However, the Eagles (2-11-1, 1-7-1 Sunshine State Conference) couldn't protect against a late surge from Florida Southern (5-7-3, 4-4-1 SSC) and fell 2-0 to the Mocs.
 
Crichton tied his career high in saves, a mark he previously set back in 2019. It was just the 12th time in program history a member of the Blue and Gold gathered 12 or more saves.
 
Facing the conference's top goal scorer in James Meehan, Embry-Riddle knew it had to play perfect defensively, and for the most part, it did. For 81 minutes, the Eagles maintained a disciplined back line that drew Florida Southern offsides five times. When the Mocs found what little space they could, Crichton was there to cover the opening.
 
Embry-Riddle faced an onslaught of shots, 25 to be exact, which was a season high. Crichton made four saves in the first half, but worked even harder over the final 45 minutes. With both teams held scoreless into the break, Florida Southern returned to the pitch hungry. In the 47th minute, the Mocs attempted to head the ball in off a corner kick, but Crichton stuck out his left foot and blocked the shot from just a few feet away.
 
Midway through the period, the sophomore goalkeeper could not find a break as he faced and saved six shots within a 13-minute timeframe. That stretch of play was highlighted by a diving stop in the 69th minute on a laser headed toward to bottom right corner of the net.
 
With the defense playing strong, the Eagles tried to make every offensive opportunity count and almost had the lead early on when Teddy West sent a free kick into the box in the 25th minute. His left-curving pass was directed toward the net from Sandro Henning's head, but the shot was saved.
 
With under ten minutes to go in the match, it appeared extra time would be needed. Unfortunately, Florida Southern knocked a ball in off a set piece in the 81st minute to take the lead. Two minutes later, the Mocs skipped a shot across the grass and into the right side of the net for another score.
 
Noah Sims collected a team-best two shots for Embry-Riddle while both Eden Bokobza and Sandro Henning tallied a shot on goal.
 
There's just one match left in the season for the Eagles. Eight seniors will be celebrated on Saturday night as Embry-Riddle hosts Nova Southeastern at 7 p.m. at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium to cap off the 2021 campaign. The 2021 Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates.