AMERICUS, Ga. - The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team struggled offensively in a 3-0 loss to Georgia Southwestern State (2-1) on Saturday. It was the first time the Eagles (1-2) were shut out since Sept. 25, 2019. 

No goals on two shots in the first half continued the trend of slow starts for Embry-Riddle. Throughout the first three matches of the 2021 season, the Eagles only scored once on a combined seven total shots in the first half compared to four goals on 18 shots in the second half.

Embry-Riddle's starting keeper Thomas Loesel was tested early on. He stood in the center of the goal and saved a rocket of a shot in the 13th minute. Loesel had a fraction of a second to react to the direction of the ball but threw his arms up in the air just in time to send it wide.

In the 23rd minute, the Hurricanes pressed up the right side of the field as Jack Malleret passed the ball ahead to Nicholas Sciarra. He took a few dribbles and ripped a shot through to the left side of the net for the opening score.

A prime scoring opportunity for the Eagles occurred six minutes into the second half when Teddy West sent the ball to an unguarded Amit Libgot in the center of the box. However, Libgot's strong shot was saved by the Hurricanes' goaltender Mauricio Uribe. 

Once again, Embry-Riddle had another chance to score the equalizer, this time in the 78th minute. Toby Cassidy crossed the ball in front of the net to Sandro Henning, who made contact with his head but sent it over the crossbar. 

Georgia Southwestern State added an insurance goal a few seconds later. A Hurricanes' goal kick sailed all the way to the Eagles' defensive side of the field. Embry-Riddle tried to send the ball back, but the attempted clearance was blocked. With a three-on-two break, Georgia Southwestern State's Chris Salamatou converted on his shot to make it a 2-0 contest.

With 13 seconds left, the Hurricanes scored again for the third and final time.

The Eagles were outshot 8-6 in the match, with two coming from Sandro Henning. Amit Libgot and Eden Bokobza each recorded a shot on goal while Thomas Loesel earned two saves. 

Embry-Riddle concludes non-conference play on Tuesday, Sept. 14, as the Eagles make the short trip to DeLand to face Stetson for the first time since 1993. That match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
 

---

The 2021 Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates.