Eckerd Edges Florida Tech Soccer, 2-1

By  //  October 7, 2013

Tritons score in the last 16 seconds

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Florida Tech Panthers returned to Sunshine State Conference play Saturday when they hosted Eckerd.

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The Florida Tech Panthers returned to Sunshine State Conference play Saturday when they hosted Eckerd. After falling behind in the second half the Panthers fought to tie the match. However, the Tritons were able to score a goal with 16 seconds left in regulation to gain the 2-1 victory. (Florida Tech image)

After falling behind in the second half the Panthers fought to tie the match.

However, the Tritons were able to score a goal with 16 seconds left in regulation to gain the 2-1 victory.

“I said to the boys that there was not anything else we could have asked from them tonight,” said head coach Robin Chan.

”It is obviously heartbreaking when you concede a goal with 16 seconds to go. It can be a cruel game sometimes and tonight was one of those days for us.”

The Panthers (3-4-1, 0-2 SSC) had chances to score in the first half, but could not quite find the net.

“We moved the ball well, got into good areas, and got the ball into dangerous areas of the box,” Chan said.

“Their keeper made a couple of big saves, and we missed a couple of easier chances that maybe on a different day we put away, and that is the game.”

SCORELESS FIRST HALF

After a scoreless first half, the Tritons (3-4-2, 1-0 SSC) were first on the scoreboard.

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Down 1-0, the Panthers responded in the 79th minute. Senior Francisco Ubiera was able to deflect a shot by freshman Adin Kavara into the back of the net. (Florida Tech image)

Nick Murawski had his first shot blocked, but was able to get the rebound and score in the 52nd minute.

Down 1-0, the Panthers responded in the 79th minute. Senior Francisco Ubiera was able to deflect a shot by freshman Adin Kavara into the back of the net.

It was the first goal of the season for Ubiera, and tied the match at one late in regulation.

INTO EXTRA TIME

The match seemed destined to go into extra time, but with under a minute left Eckerd was able to score the game winning goal.

Daniel Lopez sent a shot into the box with 16 seconds left that deflected off the back of the cleat of a Panthers defender and the ball went into the goal. The last second shot gave the Tritons the 2-1 victory.

For the match the Panthers took 16 shots with seven being on goal. The Tritons took nine shots with three being on goal. The Panthers do not have a lot of time to rest as they host the Spartans of Tampa in an SSC match on Tuesday.

The match gets underway at 5 p.m. ET and live stats and audio will be available at FloridaTechSports.com.

TIME TO PREPARE

“There is not a lot of time to prepare,” Chan said.

Robin Chan
Robin Chan

“Tampa is flying doing really well this year, and it is going to be a tough game. We are going to have to put in a performance like we did tonight.”

For Tuesday’s match against Tampa, ticket prices are $7 for general admission, $5 for seniors ages 65 and above, youth ages 5-16 and non-Florida Tech students with school ID.

FIT students with ID, FIT faculty and staff with ID plus one guest, military in uniform and children ages four and under are free. One ticket grants admission into both games, as the Panthers women will face the Spartans at 7:30 p.m. ET.

To view the Box Score visit FloridaTechSports.com
To view the 2013 Schedule visit FloridaTechSports.com