WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's soccer team used two second-half goals from Jacopo Ghezzi and Eytor Omarsson to propel themselves to their 15th consecutive season opener win and a 1-0 start to the 2024 campaign.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: No. 3 Florida Tech 2, Lander 0
Records: No. 3 Florida Tech (1-0-0, 0-0-0 SSC), Lander (0-1-0, 0-0-0 PBC)
Location: Cahall-Sandspur Field | Winter Park, Fla.
 
STATS OF THE MATCH

• Both teams began the match in a battle for possession. Lander threatened early with a corner kick in the 10th minute, but the Panther's defense held strong and cleared the ball to keep it scoreless.
• Osvaldo Santana took a rip at the goal in the 17th minute, but his attempt sailed just over the crossbar.
•  10 minutes later, Tech was in control on the offensive half of the field, earning back-to-back corner kicks. Oskar Ihlen managed to get a shot off, but the ball would once again sail over the crossbar.
• In the 37th minute, Joakim Jahnsen found the ball inside the box and took a shot at the goal, but a tremendous save from the Lander keeper kept it tied at 0-0.
• With time winding down in the first half, Filippo Fazzi fielded a pass in the box and tested the keeper, but once again he made the stop and the teams went into halftime with a score of 0-0.
• After some more back and forth with possession to begin the second half, Mario Rekirsch broke away from the defense and passed the ball off to Jacopo Ghezzi who deposited his shot into the back of the net to break the tie and give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute.
• Just seven minutes later, Santana sent a cross into the box and Eytor Omarsson knocked the ball past the keeper to extend Tech's lead to 2-0.
• The Panthers controlled possession for a majority of the rest of the match. Lander threatened with a pair of corner kicks in the final five minutes, but Tech's defense held strong and preserved the shutout to give the match a final score of 2-0.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Florida Tech moves to 3-1-1 all-time against Lander. The Panthers are unbeaten in their last four matches against the Bearcats.
• Tech has won its past 15 season openers, dating back to 2009.
• Mario Rekirsch recorded his first points with the Crimson and Grey.
• Nick Robinson earned his first victory as the head coach of the Panthers.

 
UP NEXT: The Panthers will take on Wingate on Sunday, Sept. 8 in another neutral site contest in Winter Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Cahall-Sandspur Field.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech men's soccer team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.