ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.– The Eckerd Tritons men's soccer team opened their season at the Turley Athletic Complex Friday against the first year Lions of Florida Memorial University. It was a hard fought and physical contest with the Lions leaving the pitch with a 2-1 victory.
The Tritons (0-1-0) started the match on fire, amassing 17 shots in the first half, compared to the Lions seven. Eckerd drew first blood in the 27th minute, with a score from Jimmy Lawler, his first for the season and the assist going to Anthony Arico.
The Lions roared back, tying up the match, on a score by Jayson Maltez, with the assist to Angelo Netto in the 38th minute, just prior to the halftime break.
The second stanza was mired in a defensive battle, with both teams making adjustments. The Tritons only took five shots in the second half to the Lions three. The Lions, however, was able to overcome the Tritons defensive pressure and scored for a second time, the game winner, in the 49th minute, on a goal by Netto.
The Tritons will return to the pitch on Friday, September 4th as they travel to Montevallo, Ala. to take on the Lions at 8:30pm, Eastern Time.
