MELBOURNE, FL – Despite a stellar first half of lacrosse, the Panthers fell to the No. 15 Embry-Riddle Eagles, 21-13. Four Panthers scored multiple times on the net, and Caroline Finn had her third career hat trick in the first quarter.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 13, #15 Embry-Riddle 21
Records: Florida Tech (1-3, 0-0 SSC) | #15 Embry-Riddle (3-0, 0-0 SSC)
Locations: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, FL

FIRST QUARTER: 

• While the Eagles took an early 1-0 lead 25 seconds into the game, the Panthers responded with three unanswered goals. Gillian Craig nailed the first, Caroline Finn the second, and Clare McGuire the third. Sofie Bender registered two assists on the first two goals.
• After another Embry-Riddle goal, Tech bounced back again with three straight goals for the 6-2 lead. Caroline Finn netted two more for her third career hat trick. Ella Brophy registered the fifth Panther goal for the first of her career.
• Embry-Riddle grabbed the final two goals, wrapping up the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER: 

• The Panther trend continued in the second by recording three consecutive goals after the Eagles tied the game at six apiece with 11 minutes remaining. Two goals were produced from free-position opportunities.
• Sofie Bender started the quarter with a goal and would finish the quarter with a goal. A Phoebe Hurt caused turnover, and a groundball pickup from Mackenzie Smith led to the Bender goal and a 10-7 halftime lead.

THIRD QUARTER: 

• Embry-Riddle was relentless at the draw control circle, winning the first two, which helped the Eagles score twice and draw within one.
• Fending off the Eagles' offensive, the Panthers capitalized on two Eagle turnovers for Bender's third goal.
• However, Embry-Riddle continued to hold possession, scoring five goals to end the third, taking a 14-11 advantage into the fourth.

 FOURTH QUARTER: 

• In her second straight appearance, Freshman Marin Crowley stepped up and won a draw control to begin the fourth.
• Tech was given a women-up chance following the draw-control win. Sophia Scichilone found an opening and punched a hole in the net.
• The next four minutes were all Embry-Riddle, tacking on four more goals and increasing their lead to a six-point difference.
• Bender tallied one last goal on a free position shot at 7:44 before the Eagles put up three more.
• The Panthers caused three turnovers in the final stretch but could not draw closer, losing 21-13.

 NOTABLE PANTHERS: 

• Sofie Bender led the Panthers with six points and four goals.
• Caroline Finn registered her third career hat trick.
• Sophia Scichilone tallied four points with two goals and two assists.
• Gillian Craig's also scored twice, along with an assist.
• Ella Brophy recorded her first career goal.
• Freshman Clare McGuire had a team-high two caused turnovers and three draw controls. She also scored her second career goal.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Embry-Riddle ended with more shots (32-26), saves (7-3), and draw controls (31-7).
• Tech had the advantage in groundballs (15-13) while also winning the turnover battle (12-20).
• The Panthers were 14-17 on the clears, while the Eagles were 9-12.
• The Panthers netted four of their five free position attempts.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech moves to 1-5 all-time against Embry-Riddle.
• Scichilone moved to ninth in program history in points.
• Charlotte Hardie's draw control gives her a 100 in her career making her the ninth Panther to reach the mark in program history.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech continues its five-game homestand, hosting another top-20 opponent in No. 20 Rollins on Friday, February 21, at 3 p.m. ET.
 
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