EFSC Men’s Soccer Scores Big Upset Over Darton
By Space Coast Daily // September 9, 2013
Titans rally to beat Darton 4-3
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Eastern Florida State College’s men’s soccer team rallied from a 2-0 deficit to score a major upset on Friday, defeating nationally second-ranked Darton College 4-3 on the Cavaliers home field in Albany, GA.
The victory moved Eastern Florida to 2-1 in its inaugural season. Darton fell to 3-1. Eastern Florida is back in action on Saturday, playing Middle Georgia at 3 p.m. at Darton. Darton had scored 16 goals and allowed only three coming into Friday’s game but Eastern Florida solved the Cavaliers defense while its defense and goalkeeper Jorge Madera held firm in the final desperate minutes.
“It (the victory) was a fantastic moment. We began nervously but once we realized we could play with these guys we were the better team and deserved to win. I told them ‘this was a great moment and let’s make it the start of a special year.'”
Darton scored in the sixth and 28th minutes for its early lead but Eastern Florida equalized on goals by Johnathan Quintero with an assist from Justin Gavin in the 37th minute and a goal in the 44th minute from Gavin with an assist from Romario Grant. Eastern Florida went ahead 3-2 in the 75th minute on a goal by Jordan Muir, assisted by Quintero, setting the stage for a dramatic final 15 minutes. Darton evened the score in the 76th minute but Eastern Florida got the winning goal from Manuel Goldberg in the 80th minute.
“He got a volley and put it into the top corner from 30 yards out,” said Eastern Florida head coach Oliver Twelvetrees. “It was a great strike.”
“They then threw everything at us but we held on.”
Madera sealed the victory with an epic save in the 89th minute, tipping a Darton free kick over the crossbar. Madera finished with four saves.
“They were so excited,” Twelvetrees said of his players.
“It (the victory) was a fantastic moment. We began nervously but once we realized we could play with these guys we were the better team and deserved to win. I told them ‘this was a great moment and let’s make it the start of a special year.'”
Darton visits Eastern Florida at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 for a rematch.
