ST. PETERSBURG – The Eckerd men's soccer team battled No. 25 Florida Tech in a tightly-contested matchup Saturday evening, but a goal early in the second half proved to be the difference as the Tritons fell 1-0 at Johnson Field.

The sides played an even opening 45 minutes, with neither team able to break through before halftime. Eckerd generated a pair of first-half chances, including attempts from Tatum Fain and Gavin Spuler, while Trent Murphy made a save in the third minute to keep the match scoreless.

Florida Tech struck just over three minutes into the second half, finding the lone goal of the contest in the 49th minute. Eckerd continued to push for an equalizer and produced four shots after the break, including late attempts from Reece Witt, Stafford Clarke, and Fain over the final 10 minutes.

The Tritons finished with six shots, led by Fain with two, while Clarke, Spuler, Pharrell Williams, and Witt each added one. Murphy turned aside three of the four shots he faced in the complete-game effort in goal.

Eckerd will be back in action Wednesday to face Webber International.