MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's soccer put up a two-spot in the final 10 minutes for the 3-1 victory over No. 13 North Georgia. The Panthers led for 83 minutes of the 90-minute match.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Florida Tech 3, No. 13 North Georgia
Records: Florida Tech (2-0-1, 0-0-0 SSC), North Georgia (1-2-2, 0-0-0 PBC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.
 
STATS OF THE MATCH

• Both teams came in hot, each firing off two early shots.
• Despite a missed shot, Tech earned a corner opportunity, which they would capitalize on for the 1-0 lead. Jacopo De Collibus' long corner found the feet of Francesco Micheli for his first career goal.
• While No. 13 North Georgia had their share of chances, shooting eight times compared to Florida Tech's five, they were unable to score in the first half. Elias Ronning Orn made three saves to keep the Nighthawks scoreless.
• In the second half, the Panthers looked to extend their lead, hacking at the net four times in the first five minutes with two on goal.
• North Georgia responded by attacking the goal thrice on two corner attempts within two minutes.
• The game got tense with time winding down, but both teams' defense held their own until the 78^th minute.
• With 12 minutes left in regulation, the Nighthawks capitalized on a scramble in front of the Panthers' net to level the score at 1-1.
• Tech refused to settle for a tie as Armando Loynaz collected a cross from the left, weaved past two defenders, and slipped the ball to a wide-open Alessandro Fossati, who curled his shot around the Nighthawks keeper to put the Panthers ahead 2-1.During the 85^th minute, Fossati dispossessed a North Georgia defender and sprinted up the left flank before finding Mario Rekirsch perfectly positioned to slot home another goal.
• Florida Tech came away with the 3-1 victory against No. 13 North Georgia

 BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Tech tied the all-time series with North Georgia with a 2-2 record.
• First meeting between schools since a 1-0 Nighthawks victory on September 21, 2008, in Melbourne.
• The Crimson and Gray's first win in the series was an 11-0 rout on September 10, 1988, in Dahlonega. 
• First regular-season win over a non-conference ranked opponent since September 2, 2023, at No. 14 Wingate.
• First win over a non-conference ranked opponent at home since November 23, 2019, vs. No. 16 West Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Florida Tech is unbeaten over its first three games for the sixth time in the past seven seasons.
• Alessandro Fossati and Francesco Micheli earned their first career goals.

NOTABLE PANTHERS

• Fossati's two points tie him for the team lead in points with four points.
• Micheli scored the opening goal as a defender.
• Micheli, Sjur Drechsler, and Ronning Orn played all 90 minutes.
• Rekirsch and Fossati scored off the bench.

UP NEXT: The Panthers travel to Virginia for a match against Emory & Henry on Saturday, September 20, starting at 1 pm ET.
 
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