ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After over a month without a game on Eckerd's campus, the Eckerd men's soccer team completed a 2-1 upset over the No. 23 Florida Tech Panthers in their return to Johnson Field on Saturday night.
The Panthers took the early lead on a strike from Filippo Fazzi in the 26th minute. It was not long before Caden Williams served a nice ball to Aaron Ristorcelli at the top of the box to even the tally at 1-1. Neither team could get the go ahead, with the score tied at one heading into the break.
The Panthers came out firing in the second stanza, with three solid scoring chances in the opening five minutes. Two shots were stifled by Eckerd's goalkeeper, Aidan Leak, while another pinged the crossbar. Leak posted six saves in the second half to keep the Panthers off the board. Williams once again served up another ball in the 85th minute for Luciano Rodriguez to bury it on the left side for the late lead. Leak added another clutch save in the waning minutes of the game to complete the 2-1 upset.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Eckerd 2, No. 23 Florida Tech 1
RECORDS: Eckerd 2-8-1 (1-5-0 SSC), Florida Tech 8-4-0 (5-2-0 SSC)
SCORING SUMMARY: EC - 36' Ristorcelli (Williams), 85' Rodriguez (Williams); FT - 26' Fazzi (Florindo)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
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The 2-1 upset was the Tritons' first conference win and first win at home of the season.
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Five Tritons played the full 90 minutes: Aidan Leak, Robert Thorarinsson, Viktor Milton, Thomas Jenkinson, and Finn Steele.
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Leak posted a season-high six saves, earning his first win of the season.
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Williams' two assists tonight were the first of his career, as well as his first multi-point performance.
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Ristorcelli's goal was the first of his career, while Rodriguez's goal was his first of the season.
UP NEXT
Eckerd is back on the road Wednesday, as they face off against Tampa at 7:00 PM.
