Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Senior
Sawyer Frank scored a pair of shorthanded goals and the Eckerd College men's soccer program fought through driving rain and blustery winds to a collect a non-conference victory over Florida College on Saturday, 2-0.
Winds gusting up to 45 mph whipped across the Turley Athletic Complex and sheets of driving precipitation developed shortly after halftime. Despite the unenviable weather conditions, Eckerd dominated the stat sheet and battled through the elements to pick up its eighth win of the year.
In the series history, the Tritons have shown a penchant for scoring quick-strike goals against the Falcons, including an 8-0 outburst in 2008.
Frank continued that trend with two goals in a six-minute span in the first half to provide the only offense Eckerd would need. The Tritons were a man down after a red card was issued early in the first half.
“Tonight was a good chance to get some of our players some opportunities on the field,” EC Head Coach Steve Magee said. “It's hard to be particularly sharp in some areas because of the weather, but we're just working on improving.”
But Florida College came into the match as a bit of an unknown despite fashioning together an 8-1 overall record. The Falcons (8-2) and Tritons (8-3-1, 2-1-1 SSC) had just one lone opponent in common as both had beaten Clearwater Christian University earlier this season.
Frank punched in his first goal on a rebound after
Anthony Arico ripped a shot that was right on target against FC goalkeeper David Barker in the 36th minute of play. It marked Arico's team-leading seventh assist of the season.
Shortly after the first tally, frustrations boiled over on the Falcons' end and a Saif Alsafeer yellow card was costly at the expense of FC's defense.
Matt Duffy set up Frank with an accurate free kick after the foul just a few minutes later and the Tritons cashed in on a two-goal advantage shortly before halftime.
Andrew Hoffer faced two total shots by the Falcons as Eckerd outshot their counterpart 20-2. He recorded his second win of the season as
Toni Virtanen got the night off.
Eckerd is back on the road to continue Sunshine State Conference play next week, heading to Boca Raton to face Lynn University on Tuesday. The match is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
