Daytona Beach, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team faced off against Florida Tech at the ERAU Soccer Stadium on Saturday night, delivering an action-packed match that resulted in a 3-2 loss for the Eagles.
The game kicked off with the Panthers controlling possession early on, pressing the Eagles' defense. Just four minutes in, Jacopo Ghezzi scored a stunning free kick, finding the top right corner to give Florida Tech a quick lead. However, the Eagles responded with determination, equalizing in the 12th minute. A beautifully orchestrated set play saw Alexander Hasenohrl pass to Matteo Moreno Madrid, who then crossed back to Hasenohrl, and Hasenhorl finished with a remarkable strike into the top left corner.
Despite the Eagles maintaining most of the possession, a defensive lapse allowed Eytor Omarsson to strike in the 28th minute, putting the Panthers up 2-1. Yet, the Eagles quickly rallied, with freshman Fabian Hilpert taking advantage of a goalkeeping error to level the score once more at 2-2 just three minutes later. The first half ended in a thrilling draw, setting the stage for a competitive second half.
The second half began evenly, with both teams looking to seize control. A quick opportunity for the Eagles was thwarted when Kaden Stoddard couldn't capitalize on a defensive lapse from the Panthers. However, the situation took a turn for the Eagles when they went down to 10 men with 25 minutes left, leaving Embry-Riddle to adjust to playing more defensively.
The Panthers seized this opportunity, with a well-placed winning goal with 20 minutes left from Filippo Fazzi off a cross from Ghezzi, regaining the lead at 3-2. In a last-ditch effort, the Eagles earned a corner in the dying moments of the match, but it wasn't enough to level the score.
In the end, the Eagles fought valiantly but fell short, concluding the match with a 3-2 loss. Despite the defeat, the team showed resilience and flashes of brilliance that they will look to build on in their upcoming matches.
The Eagles are at home again on Wednesday at the ERAU Soccer Stadium where they take on Lynn University at 7 p.m.
The 2024 Embry-Riddle men's soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates.
