Florida Tech Soccer Outlast Choctaws, Improve to 2-0
By Florida Tech // September 7, 2015
BREVARD COUNY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Florida Tech Panthers took a step in the right direction Saturday evening. After running through their first four opponents, including the preseason, by a combined 16-4 margin the Panthers also proved their toughness and ability to close out tight matches in a 1-0 shutout against Mississippi College.
“It was a scrappy match,” said head coach Robin Chan.
“I thought once we settled down we did a good job controlling the tempo for the remainder of the half and showed good patience in carving out the goal. We ground out the result which is what was required, and important to be able to do especially at this stage.”
“It was an important regional result against a Mississippi College team that I think will pick up some good results this year as they did last year,” said Chan.
Off to a stellar beginning to his junior season, forward Adin Kavara notched his third goal in two games and keeper Mitch Thorn corralled four saves to help guide Florida Tech to a 2-0 start for the fourth consecutive year.
“Mitch had a solid day today.” said Chan.
“All in all, he worked well with the back four to nullify their threats and give us the clean sheet.”
Despite just the one goal on the day, the Panthers provided themselves with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Florida Tech peppered the Choctaws with 11 shots in the first half alone and consistently knocked on the door before Kavara broke through in the 30th minute on an assist from Will Henderson, the defender’s first career point in Crimson and Gray.
Anxious to add some insurance, the Panther offense continued to apply pressure on Mississippi College in the second half.
Florida Tech nearly doubled its lead in the 61st minute with a strike by Jan Hlavica, but the shot ricocheted just off the post to keep the score locked at 1-0.
The Choctaw faithful would yet again breathe a sigh of relief, only this time it was Kavara connecting with the crossbar in 75th minute.
Mississippi College pushed forward down the stretch, but the Florida Tech defense proved too strong and turned away any last-ditch scoring chances to preserve the shutout on the road.
FIT will now have an extended 10-day rest before travelling to Flagler for a matchup with the Saints on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. ET.
“We did a good job taking care of our business this weekend,” said Chan.
“It was a focal point, for sure, to get off to a positive start and these two regional wins have given us just that.”
“We have a few days to get healthy and rejuvenate now before we travel to Flagler, which is always a great challenge and a good game to look forward to,” said Chan.
