No. 5 Lynn Edges Tritons, 2-1, in SSC Semifinals

Box Score WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Lynn Fighting Knights again proved to be a thorn in the side of the Eckerd men's soccer team, eliminating the Tritons from the Sunshine State Conference tournament by a 2-1 margin on Friday afternoon.

The loss also brought an end to the season for Eckerd, which finished with a record of 8-6-3 under first-year head coach Ian Cameron.

"I'm gutted for our players," he said.  "They played with big hearts today, and I told them after the game that they should walk with their heads held high.  The worst thing you can do is play your final game without spirit, and there was no threat of that today."

Indeed, the Tritons battled to give themselves a chance against the fifth-ranked team in NCAA Division II even after Lynn converted a goal on its first shot of the match.  Lynn's Adam Hutchison delivered into the box to Tomer Bitton, who headed it into the netting in the sixth minute and gave the regular-season champions an early lead.

Despite a shot advantage for the Knights, Eckerd held strong defensively.  Goalkeeper Alex Gott stopped the next four shots he saw in the half to help the Tritons go to halftime still only down by one goal.

That effort allowed Eckerd to equalize the match shortly after halftime.

Matheus Assumpcao rifled in a shot that was deflected by Lynn goalkeeper Alexander Roth, but Juan David Tejada punched in the rebound to tie the match at 1-1 in the 48th minute.

Lynn (14-1-1) retook control of possession, but Gott was again up to the task turning away four consecutive Knight attempts as the match remained deadlocked entering the 70th minute.

However, the tournament's No. 2 seed reclaimed the lead moments later in a sequence that started with a set piece.  Adam Hutchison delivered a corner kick into the box to SSC Player of the Year Jack Watson, whose header bounced off the crossbar.

Unfortunately for Eckerd, it bounced to Bitton who in turn headed the rebound across the line for his second goal of the match.

From there, the Lynn defense locked down and did not allow the Tritons an equalizing opportunity for the remainder of the contest.

The loss brings an end to the careers of Eckerd's three seniors - Jordan Lee, Mauricio Salvatierra and Antonio Alvarez.

"My time with these guys has been short but I greatly appreciate everything they've done for the program during their time here," Cameron said.  "They've all made great efforts to help me in my first season and for that, I am forever grateful.  While they've fallen short of directly receiving silverware, their contributions have undoubtedly paved the way for future success in our program."

Lynn advances to the conference championship game for the second time in the last three seasons, where it will face the University of Tampa after the Spartans upset top-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic, 2-0. 

For Eckerd, making the program's first trip to the conference semifinals since 2012 gives the returning players something on which to build.

"For the returning group, myself included, we now have a clear grasp of what is achievable," said Cameron.  "This result will sting for a long time, but we will attack spring with great purpose.  The Eckerd team that competes next fall will definitely be a better version of our current selves."

Tejada's goal marked his 11th of the season, tying the sophomore for 13th place in program history and is the most since Luke Sheekey scored 15 times in 2008.  Assumpcao's assist vaulted him into a tie for first place in program history for most in a season with nine, sharing the honor with Sheekey and Andree Bitterer.