MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's soccer capped off the regular season in dominant fashion, shutting out No. 17 Florida Southern, 3-0, on Wednesday night at Rick Stottler Field. Three different Panthers found the back of the net as Tech secured a crucial Sunshine State Conference victory. The win clinched the Panthers' first SSC Regular Season Championship in 33 years.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Florida Tech 3 | No. 17 Florida Southern
Records: Florida Tech 9-3-4 (7-1-2 SSC) | Florida Southern 10-3-3 (5-2-3 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.
GAME NOTES
- Florida Southern opened the match on the attack, recording three shots in the opening 11 minutes, but none found the back of the net.
- Tech began creating opportunities midway through the half, earning its first corner kick in the 21st minute.
- Victor Thompson recorded the Panthers' first shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but Florida Southern goalkeeper made the save.
- The Panthers broke through in the 29th minute when Max May found the back of the net off an assist from Marius Brandmayr that hit the crossbar to give Florida Tech a 1-0 lead.
- The Mocs looked to respond immediately, but sent an attempt over the crossbar in the 30th minute.
- Matteo Tzimas created another opportunity for the Panthers in the 40th minute, but his shot went wide left.
- Florida Tech entered halftime leading 1-0.
- The Panthers continued applying pressure, earning three corner kicks in a two-minute span before Matteo Tzimas put a shot on goal in the 56th minute.
- Tech doubled its lead in the 62nd minute when Aracri drilled the back of the race to the ball in the field off a deflection for the 2-0 edge.
- Just three minutes later, Nikolai Gabrielsen converted a penalty kick in the 64th minute, extending Florida Tech's lead to 3-0.
- Florida Southern looked to respond in the 68th minute when a player struck the crossbar before Elias Ronning Orn made a save on an attempt a minute later.
- Orn continued to protect the Panthers' lead, denying a shot in the 81st minute to preserve the shutout.
- The Mocs created one final opportunity in the 89th minute, but Or stopped it in the bottom-right corner.
- Florida Tech secured the 3-0 victory over No. 17 Florida Southern, closing out the regular season with a shutout and putting the Panthers in position to claim the Sunshine State Conference Regular Season Championship.
NOTABLE PANTHERS
- Max May scored the game-winning goal in the 29th minute to give Florida Tech a 1-0 lead.
- Daniele Aracri scorched the Panthers' second goal in the 62nd minute and recorded two shots on goal.
- Nikolai Gabrielsen converted a penalty kick in the 64th minute to extend Tech's lead to 3-0.
- Marius Brandmayr recorded an assist on May's opening goal.
- Elias Ronning Orn secured three saves to secure the shutout victory.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- Florida Tech holds a 33-17-6 all-time record against Florida Southern.
- Since the start of the 2016 season, the Panthers hold an 9-1-1 advantage in the series, with their only loss coming on Oct. 9, 2021.
- Tech is 18-7-4 all-time at home against Florida Southern and is unbeaten in its last six road matchups against the Mocs dating back to 2013.
- The victory gives Florida Tech its sixth Sunshine State Conference Regular Season Championship and first since 1993, tying Barry for the third-most titles in conference history.
- Under head coach Nick Robinson, Florida Tech has allowed one goal or fewer in 36 of his 53 matches, including 16 shutouts, while scoring at least three goals in 16 contests.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will host the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Monday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m. at Rick Stottler 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.
SCHOLARS. CHAMPIONS. LEADERS
