DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Embry-Riddle (4-0-1) continued their hot start to the season on Saturday night as they defeated Eckerd (1-4-0) 2-1 to begin Sunshine State Conference play at Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. The Eagles' prolific attack continues to lead the way as they are now averaging 2.6 goals per game and have scored two or more goals in four of the five games this season.
Samuel Magda put the Blue and Gold in front when he was left open on a corner by
Lukas Bludau and had
Riley Aldana flick it along from the front post to the back post for the defender to score his second goal of the season. Within the opening three minutes of the second half, ERAU had doubled their lead through
Lorenzo Rodofili, who was the first to react to a loose ball inside the 18-yard-box and found the back of the net after
Joseph Ben-Ezra's original shot was blocked. The Tritons cut their deficit to just one goal at 79:46 when Embry-Riddle couldn't fully clear a set piece which was then converted by Marcio Costa, but the Eagles would not give up another shot in the game and held on to extend their five-match unbeaten streak.
First Half
Eckerd looked to immediately get on the scoreboard with a shot on target in the first 30 seconds, but Marco da Silva was able to make the save, before ERAU took control and generated a pair of corners at 1:30 and 10:07 around an
Ethan Rosenblum shot. The Eagles took advantage of the set pieces with the goal from Magda at 15:21 who was able to tap home from just a couple yards out after the combination of Bludau and Aldana. The Tritons did not record another shot on target in the first half after the opening minute, meanwhile
Mattia Motzo nearly made it 2-0 at 36:12 before being denied by a save from Trent Murphy.
Second Half
The Eagles continued to search for that second goal and it came shortly after halftime as
Lorenzo Rodofili scored his first career goal with the Blue and Gold, finding the back of the net at 47:07 on the half-volley after Joseph Ben Ezra's original shot was blocked. Eckerd pressed through the middle of the half with a corner and three shots from 59:47 to 68:26, but da Silva saved Lucas Quinones' attempt at 61:57 and the other two shots flew off target. ERAU's lead was eventually trimmed to 2-1 on Marcio Costa's goal from the edge of the box at 79:46, but the Eagles responded with a shot on goal from
Jonas Banouas shot and two late corners to finish off the 2-1 win.
Inside the Stats
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Lorenzo Rodofili totaled two shots along with scoring the game-winning goal.
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Samuel Magda opened the scoring with his second goal of the season.
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Joseph Ben-Ezra picked up the first assist of his career on Rodofili's goal.
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Lukas Bludau leads the team in points (7) and picked up his first assist of the season this evening.
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Riley Aldana registered the first assist of his career when he found Magda on the opening goal.
Up Next
The Eagles will be back on the field in just three days when they have a non-conference matchup on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. versus SCAD-Savannah.
