Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

MLAX Runout
Calan Gizelbach
8
Embry-Riddle (FL) EMBRY-RI 5-3, 0-1
12
Winner Florida Tech FLORIDA 6-2, 1-0
Embry-Riddle (FL) EMBRY-RI
5-3, 0-1
8
Final
12
Florida Tech FLORIDA
6-2, 1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Embry-Riddle (FL) EMBRY-RI 3 3 1 1 8
Florida Tech FLORIDA 2 4 2 4 12

Game Recap: RV Men's Lacrosse | | Zach Phillips

No. 18 Men’s Lacrosse Stumbles In 12-8 Defeat to No. 16 Florida Tech

MELBOURNE, Fla. – No. 18 Embry-Riddle dropped a hard-fought contest to Florida Tech, 12-8, on Saturday afternoon. The two teams were tied on five separate occasions, but it was the Panthers who finished the game on a 4-0 run to claim the win in the first SSC matchup of the season. Christopher Harper scored the first hat trick of his career with all three goals coming in the second quarter, but the scoring slowed after halftime for ERAU. The Blue and Gold were nearly even with the Panthers in every statistical category, including 11-11 in faceoffs and a 26-24 advantage for Florida Tech in shots on goal.

RECORDS:
No. 18 Embry-Riddle: 5-3, (0-1, SSC)
No. 16 Florida Tech : 6-2, (1-0, SSC)
 
GAME NOTES
  • Embry-Riddle was moved up to No. 18  in the country in the latest USILA Division II Poll (March 16).
  • The Panthers now lead the all-time series 6-1 over the Eagles. The Blue and Gold won the matchup last season between the schools, 12-10.

KEY PERFORMERS
Embry-Riddle Florida Tech
  • Player 1: Thomas Strong - 3 G, 4 SOG, 2 GB
  • Player 2: Brooks van Esselstyn - 2 G, 1 A, 2 GB, 1 CT
  • Player 3: Jax Francisco - 8 GA, 16 SV, .667 SV%

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
  • Embry-Riddle opened the game with five saves in the opening five minutes, but a pair of saves from Florida Tech kept the game scoreless.
  • ERAU would eventually open the scoring through Lucas Anthony who was assisted by Leo Mileto. Anthony currently leads the team with 18 goals this season.
  • Less than 45 seconds later, the Eagles doubled their lead when Jay Kyle assisted Spence Hondru to make the game 2-0 with 7:44 remaining in the quarter.
  • Florida Tech was given a 1:00 penalty in the closing minutes of the period, but after another save from Francisco, the Panthers were able to clear and score a man-down goal.
  • With 1:58 left on the clock, the Panthers built upon that momentum and quickly tied the game at 2-2 just 30 seconds after their first goal. 
  • Pierce Montes ensured that the Blue and Gold held the lead at the conclusion of the quarter when he beat Francisco in the final minute of the period, putting ERAU ahead 3-2.
Second Quarter
  • Another penalty against Florida Tech had them a man-down at 12:21 and Christopher Harper scored his first goal of the game just 20 seconds into the penalty to restore Embry-Riddle's two-goal lead.
  • The two teams would continue to trade goals back and forth in the first half as the Panthers made it 4-3 with a goal from Brooks van Esseltyn with 8:51 left to play.
  • A solo effort from Harper would see him capitalize once again on an extra-man opportunity in the quarter. The junior midfielder caused a turnover, picked up the ground ball, and then scored another goal with 6:24 on the clock.
  • Florida Tech was slowed down by seven saves in the quarter from Reid Kerr, but three goals from them in a two-minute span, turned their 5-3 deficit turn into a 6-5 advantage. The third goal came with 56 seconds left in the half, putting FT in front for the first time.
  • Harper completed his first career hat trick and scored all three goals in the quarter for ERAU when he drew the game back level at 6-6 in the final five seconds of the half.
Third Quarter
  • The defenses continued to dictate the game in the third quarter, seeing only one goal get scored in the first 10 minutes after the break. Florida Tech took a 7-6 lead at 9:02.
  • Embry-Riddle had two shots go off the post in the quarter as they continued to create chances. After seeing his previous shot go off the pipe, Tim Keefe tied the game up once again at 7-7 with 3:27 remaining.
  • The Panthers grabbed the last goal of the quarter, taking an 8-7 advantage after there were just three goals in the quarter. The two goalies combined for 25 saves in the first three quarters.
Fourth Quarter
  • Montes scored his second goal of the afternoon to begin the fourth quarter, drawing the game level for the fifth time of the day when he tied it 8-8 with 12:53 to go in the game. 
  • ERAU was able to forced a turnover from Florida Tech on each of their next two possessions, but when they eventually got a shot off, the Panthers took a 9-8 lead with 10:07 remaining.
  • The Blue and Gold controlled the next faceoff, but were not able to provide an immediate answer. An unassisted goal from the Panthers doubled their lead to 10-8.
  • Two late goals from Thomas Strong created the final score of 12-8 with Embry-Riddle hitting the post for a third time this afternoon, but were not able to add another tally.

INSIDE THE STATS
  • Tim Keefe and Christopher Harper have each scored at least one goal in six consecutive games for the Eagles.
  • With 14 saves from Reid Kerr this afternoon, he continues to lead the SSC in saves per game. He is currently averaging 12.4 per game.
  • Luke Barber is tied for the team lead with 22 ground balls, including four today. He has had at least two ground balls in every game this season.

UP NEXT
The Eagles will host Tampa in their next game on Saturday, March 28, at 12:00 p.m. ERAU will only being play against SSC competition for the remainder of the season. The Spartans won their opening conference game of the season, 14-7 over Florida Southern.
 
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