Box Score
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Eckerd College men's soccer program saw its three-match win streak snapped in a closely-contested matchup against 13th-ranked Montevallo (Ala.) University on Sunday afternoon, falling in a shutout, 0-2.
The Tritons (3-1, 0-0 SSC) were held off the scoreboard and handed their first defeat of the season by the Falcons (3-0-1, 0-0-1 PBC), who scored in each half at critical times.
Eckerd recorded consecutive victories against Francis Marion (S.C.) University, St. Thomas University and Florida Memorial University, prior to Sunday's match.
The Tritons pulled even with the Falcons in nearly every category on the box score, but were unable to find the net on a few set plays drafted by EC Head Coach Steve Magee.
“We were very much in the game and by all indications, the stats show that,” he said. “We actually played some of the best soccer of the season in this game and I feel like we're making very good progress as a group.”
With Montevallo holding a slight edge in shots, 13-12, the Falcons struck early on in the 12th minute as Shane Howard scored off a feed from teammate Alex Morton.
Both offenses stalled until halftime even though Eckerd had a shot on goal in the form of Anthony Arico's blocked attempt at the 29:55 mark.
Another Arico shot was blocked as Eckerd made its bid for the equalizer as the second half got underway and the Tritons had a number of shots sail wide right and wide left.
Eckerd's best chance in the latter stages came as leading scorer Matt Knight missed wide, but the Falcons came up clutch with a goal in the 86th minute by Giuliano Frano to ice the match.
Eckerd will look to rebound and get back on the winning track against Warner University this week on Wednesday. The final primer before Sunshine State Conference play gets underway begins in Lake Wales, Fla., at 6 p.m.
