AUBURNDALE, Fla. (Women's Soccer) - Headed back to SSC Quarterfinals play after a two year absence, Florida Tech (8-7-2) knocked off conference opponent Florida Southern (8-3-4) in an exhilarating game at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex on Tuesday night. 

Paving the way offensively for FIT, Taylor Eller and Brittany Etrick combined for two goals to give the Panthers the edge over FSC. In the night outing, Eller recorded two shots, and two shots on goal, finding the net on one of those shots to grab her third goal of the season. Following her, Etrick tallied her second goal or the year, which came off the only shot she took during the evening. 

Defensively, Rockledge-native Karlyn Prisco tallied two saves, coming up big with one in the 87 minute to hinder Florida Southern's chances of tying the game. 

After losing 2-0 to the Moccasins on the road earlier this season, Florida Tech took Auburndale grass with one goal in mind, to win. The Panthers came out dominating in the first 24 minutes, imposing three shots on goal and three corner kicks against a defense that has only allowed 16 goals prior to tonight's outing. Before the end of the first half, FIT went on to add two more shots on goal, one shot, and one corner kick, all while holding the Florida Southern offense to just three shots the entire half. Tonight's first half outcome was a complete turnaround from team's previous match, where FSC took an early lead after a goal in the 26 minute. 

Returning from the half, the Melbourne-squad managed to maintain its imposing offensive presence in the attacking third, as a header by Etrick boosted the Panthers to a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the second half. Unhappy with the outcome, a struggling first half Moccasins offense began to pick things up around the 52-minute mark. For two minutes straight, Florida Southern spent it's time harassing the FIT defense with a sequence of four shots, but came up empty handed. However, the Mocs goal would eventually come in the 62 minute, on a long ball sent from 35 yards out by Anna Griessler. 

All tied up with tension quickly rising, the sprint to the semifinals was nearing. Responding first, the couple of Zabian and Eller combined to punch in the go-a header at the 70-minute mark to shorten the Moccasins chances to advance. 

In desperate need of a tying goal in a race against the clock, FSC saw two corner kicks and three shots in a 10-minute span. Unable to find net however, a strong defensive performance out of the Panthers back line and red-shirt senior goalkeeper Prisco, credited Florida Tech with the 2-1 victory. 

"This is what the season comes down to, postseason play and moving forward", said head coach Dustin Smith. "Every game is an elimination match so there's a lot of pressure to win. Our girls showed resilience tonight against a very strong opponent. Hats off to Paul and his Florida Southern team, they proved throughout the course of the season to be a top contender who is very deserving of reaching the end."

Next, the Panthers head south for a 2015 Semifinal rematch against the Barry Buccaneers. That year, Florida Tech suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat on Miami Shores soil, as Barry sent a dagger in the 80 minute to walk away with the win and advance to finals play. 

Currently the Buccs rank fourth inside the SSC leader board, and are coming off a bye in the tournament. Florida Tech is coming off two consecutive losses to Barry, one from earlier in the season in overtime and the other from last year's SSC Quarterfinals. 

FIT looks to avenge both mishaps this Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The match will be held on neutral ground on the campus of Nova Southeastern. 

For more information, Please visit FloridaTechSports.com