DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Embry-Riddle (5-2-4, 1-2-2) dropped an end-to-end contest to Tampa (5-4-2, 2-2-1) on Saturday night at Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. ERAU and the Spartans combined for 34 shots, 15 shots on goal, and three goals in addition to hitting the crossbar a total of three times. The Blue and Gold finished with 14 shots, seven in each half, and nearly found an equalizer on numerous occasions but the Spartans escaped with the win and all three points.
Prior to the game, the Eagles recognized the 2026 senior class which included
Stella Roane,
Molly Metcalfe,
Berglind Thrastardottir,
Lauryn Mateo,
Eve Tiktikakis,
Anna Hansson,
Anna Marisa Lara, and
Samantha Long.
First Half
Embry-Riddle had the majority of possession in the opening half, with the Spartans finding most of their success on counter attacks and set pieces. Tampa finished the first half with a 13-7 shot advantage and put seven shots on goal compared to ERAU's two. The Eagles took three shots in a five-minute span from 10:57 to 15:03 but were denied by a pair of saves from Lia Doohan.
Stella Roane made three saves for the Blue and Gold in the first 25 minutes, but she was beaten after a long-range strike from Kendall Gouner following a Tampa corner kick. Kaylee Gibson made it 2-0 at 35:53 after she converted a penalty kick with the last real chance of the half.
Second Half
It did not take long for ERAU to respond out of halftime as they drew three fouls in the first five minutes and saw
Lauryn Mateo score directly from a free kick from 20 yards out at 50:07. The final 30 minutes of the game saw 11 total shots and three shots off of the woodwork as the Eagles continued to search for the game-tying goal, while the Spartans tried to find an insurance goal.Â
At 61:30,
Berglind Thrastardottir hit the crossbar and Mateo tried to score off the rebound but sent her shot over the net. Tampa were then denied by a last-second goal-line clearance at 65:25 and immediately after the clearance, Kaleigh Hart took a shot from the edge of the box which
Stella Roane deflected on to the crossbar. Less than five minutes later, Lilly Nava unleashed a shot that hit off the crossbar before going behind for a goal kick. The Spartans had one final chance with Kaylee Gibson but once again the combination of Roane and the crossbar were able to keep the score at 2-1. Across the final 10 minutes, ERAU had four shots but Doohan had another save and finish off the win for the Spartans.
Inside the Stats
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Lauryn Mateo is now tied for a team-high four goals this season.
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Stella Roane made a season-high eight saves, her most since September 7, 2025.
- ERAU's 14 shots and four shots on goal were the most they have had against an SSC opponent this season.
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Berglind Thrastardottir and Mateo have each started 66 consecutive games for the Eagles.
Up Next
ERAU will have a week off before they host #10 Nova Southeastern on Saturday, October 10, at 6 p.m. The Eagles are in the midst of a three-game homestand that will continue through October 14. Each home match will broadcast on the SSC Digital Network and will have free admission to the public.