Tritons Fall to No. 17 Florida Tech in SSC Semifinals

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Eckerd women's soccer team's historic SSC Tournament run came to a close on Thursday as the Tritons fell to No. 17 and top-seeded Florida Tech, 4-0 at Rick Stottler Field. 

The Panthers got on the board early as Marem Ndiongue broke past the defense and hooked in a shot inside the right post in the eighth minute. Florida Tech continued to pressure with four shots over the next 10 minutes, with Cadence Talbert turning back both on frame. Lauryn Wood gave FIT a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute, collecting a loose ball off Talbert. EC had its best scoring opportunity in the 28th minute as Aisling Spillane took a free kick from 30 yards out, but her shot missed high. Ndiongue gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead in th 32nd minute, which they held onto into the break. 

Eckerd put more pressure on in the second half but was unable to convert. Talbert came up with a big save in the 50th minute, turning back a penalty kick. Florida Tech added a fourth goal in the 60th minute. Spillane gave EC another opportunity in the 68th minute with a shot from the top of the 18, but her shot was turned back as the Tritons fell 4-0. 

HOW IT ENDED

FINAL: No. 17 Florida Tech 4, Eckerd 0 
RECORDS: Eckerd 10-7-2; Florida Tech 13-1-3 
SCORING SUMMARY: FIT - 8' Ndiongue (Helgadottir), 23' Wood (unassisted), 32' Ndiongue (Nilsen), 60' Wood (Ndiongue)

NOTES AND NUMBERS 

• The Panthers held a 14-3 advantage in shots and a 9-1 favor in shots on goal. 
• Talbert, Spillane, Brooke Bisko, Morgan Massie, Abby Sonne, Abby Knipp, Jillian Doerger, and Kendall Drummond played the full 90 minutes. 
• The Tritons' semifinal appearance was just the second in program history. 
• Talbert collected five saves and is 2-for-2 on penalty kick saves in the SSC Tournament. 

UP NEXT 

Eckerd awaits its postseason fate with the selection show on Monday at 6:30 PM. Eckerd currently sits No. 8 in the region.