ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite being outshot in the match, the Tritons found the back of the net in the 87th minute as Blake Bauer's late heroics gave the Eckerd men's soccer team its first Sunshine State Conference victory Wednesday night at Johnson Field with a 1-0 shutout over Saint Leo.
Neither team saw a quality look on goal in the first half. However, the Lions pressed their offense in the second half with seven shots on goal, but each time keeper Lynden Dawson was there to turn back the attempt. EC finally found the back of the net in the 87th minute as Alexander Ard delivered a long pass to Braden Bradford just outside of the 18. Bradford one-touched the ball to Bauer, who fired in the game-winning goal.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Eckerd 1, Saint Leo 0
RECORDS: Eckerd 2-6 (1-2 SSC); Saint Leo 2-6-2 (1-2 SSC)
SCORING SUMMARY: EC- 87' Bauer (Ard and Bradford)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Dawson collected nine saves in goal, one shy of his career-high. It was also the third shutout of his career.
- Eckerd has posted shutouts in back-to-back games.
- Bauer's goal was his first of the season and the second of his career.
- Bradford's assist was his fourth of the year, ranking second in the conference, while Ard's assist was the first of his career.
- Saint Leo held a 14-9 favor in shots and a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal. Bauer had both shots on goal.
QUOTABLE
"Even though it wasn't our best performance of the year, we finally got the result we were looking for as we continue to grow and build as a group," said head coach, John Fletcher.
UP NEXT
Eckerd continues SSC action on Saturday with a trip to Rollins set for 7:00 PM.
