FT.LAUDERDALE, Fla. – On Friday afternoon, Florida Tech (9-8-3) saw its post season run cut short by No. 6 Lee (17-4), as the Flames outlasted FIT 2-0 to claim their first NCAA First Round win in three years.

The Panthers fought through the entire 90 minutes of regulation, but Lee broke through the score in the first period. Returning from intermission, the Flames increased their lead to put FIT at distance in the closing minutes of the First Round.

Despite the 2-0 loss, the match marked the fifth NCAA appearance for the Crimson and Gray within the past 10 years.

Making her third appearance in the Panthers lineup this season, Natalia Milashus came in for Karlyn Prisco after she was injured in the first half. The sophomore goalie had large shoes to fill, but managed to come up in a big way for the FIT. The product out of Mason, Mich. posted five saves in 63 minutes of action, and captured four key saves in the last 13 minutes of play, before Lee netted its second goal of the game. Milashus ends the 2017 season with seven saves.

As a team, Florida Tech struggled to breach through the Flames end zone, accumulating seven shots and two corner kicks. The Panthers leave postseason play with a total of 34 shots, three goals, 16 saves and two assists. Overall, FIT concludes the 2017 season with 272 shots, 23 goals, 16 assists, 93 saves and 62 points.

During the match, shots came from seven different FIT players, who recorded one shot apiece. Amongst the list of Panthers, Maria Munoz, Brittany Etrick, Taylor Eller, Keira McCarthy, Mary Watson, Monica Zabian and Jeeda Al-Naber all combined to create the offensive momentum for Florida Tech.

This season has been an outstanding stretch for FIT, as the Panthers marked an exceptional milestone with the programs first ever SSC Championship title. In addition, the Melbourne squad manage to return to the NCAA Tournament after its last appearance in 2013.

As the team readies for the 2018 season, seven seniors will leave the Panthers lineup. However, they will return a majority of their core athletes. With the newcomers entering the squad in the off-season, FIT will look to this year's solid group of freshmen and sophomores to step up and fill the voids. 
 
For more information, fans can access FloridaTechSports.com.