Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – For another game, the Eckerd College men's soccer program pulled off late-stage theatrics, although this one was in the “Nick” of time, as it defeated North Georgia College & State University on Saturday, 2-1, at Pepin Stadium.
Freshman
Nick Jackson snapped a 1-1 tie in the 87th minute to seal the match for the Tritons (3-1, 0-0 SSC), who continued to ride an emotional high after a thrilling double-overtime triumph against No. 18 Clayton State (Ga.) University on Thursday.
Jackson was threaded a pass from junior midfielder
Seb Marley and he pushed the game winner past goalkeeper Kristopher Alonzo.
And the other Nick, sophomore forward
Nick Murawski, tallied his first goal of the season to start the Eckerd rally, finding the net at the 77:51 mark in the second half.
Sophomore forward
Matt Dolan was credited with the assist on the tying goal, his second of the fall.
Senior goalkeeper
Andrew Hoffer recorded five saves to earn the win in net, his first victory of the season.
The Tritons resumed their early-season surge against the Saints (1-2, 0-0 PBC) and continued to show resiliency that will pay off as the Sunshine State Conference schedule looms around the corner.
“The guys continued to show more character coming back from behind and we played some of our best soccer so far this season,” EC Head Coach Steve Magee said. “This is great confidence to build on as we prepare for a tough stretch ahead in conference play.”
The Saints held a 15-9 advantage in the shot department, but each team held strong in a scoreless first half.
North Georgia College & State capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity in the 66th minute off the foot of Max Angel for a temporary lead.
EC stormed back with a pair of shots on target, first by Thursday's hero,
Mark Lee, and another rebound attempt by senior
Turner Humphries.
Murawski scored the equalizer following a Saints' foul less than four minutes later.
Jackson is now tied for the team lead with four points (1 G, 2 A) along with Lee.
The Tritons will face a familiar opponent next Wednesday in Winter Park, Rollins College, but the 7:30 p.m. affair counts as a non-conference match.
