MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's lacrosse team defended home turf as they defeated the Concordia Golden Eagles, 14-8, on Friday, Feb. 27. With the win, Tech improves to 3-0 at home while the Golden Eagles fall to 2-4.
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Score: No. 19 Florida Tech 14 | Concordia University Irvine 8 
Records: No. 19 Florida Tech 3-2 (0-0 SSC) | Concordia University Irvine 2-4 (RMAC 0-1)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Florida 
 
GAME NOTES
FIRST QUARTER

• The Panthers came out firing after two Jax Francisco saves as Dawson Long snuck one by the CUI goalie off an assist by Brooks van Esselstyn.
• After a turnover caused by Steve Ulrichs, Reed Herbert scored shortly after with an assist from Max Henry.
• At the 9:11 mark, Francisco made another great save that kept the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard.
• Concordia scored a man-up goal with 5:56 on the clock.
• Gavin Stecher scored with 18 seconds on the clock. Assist credited to Joe Coveleski.
• With five seconds remaining, Coveleski found van Esselstyn who fired one passed the CUI goaltender as the Panthers capitalized on more opportunities in the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• Both defenses were stout in the second quarter as there was only five shots from both teams combined until the 8:31 mark where CUI started the scoring in the period.
• Thomas Strong took over as he scored goals with 8:12 and 7:54 on the clock. Assists came from Gavin Stecher and Landon Addleman.
• CUI had possession with Florida Tech defending as the Panthers fought off five consecutive shots from the Golden Eagles. Bobby Canaway forced a CUI turnover to end the Golden Eagle attack.
• Max Henry scored with under a minute remaining to push the Panther lead to 7-2.
• Thomas Strong picked up his third goal of the quarter and earned the hat trick as he found the back of the Golden Eagle net with eight seconds on the clock.

THIRD QUARTER

• Tech continued to roll on offense as they extended their lead to 9-2 with a goal from brooks van Esselstyn.
• Van Esselstyn connected with Max Henry at the 8:11 mark for another Tech goal.
• CUI finally ended their scoreless drought with their third goal of the game with 7:47 remaining in the quarter.
• 37 seconds later, Henry earned his hat trick as momentum swung back to the Panthers sideline.
• The Golden Eagles scored at the 2:26 mark, but the Panthers quickly got the point back as Parker Kane scored off a Carson Mann assist.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Kane would stretch the Tech lead to 13-4 with a goal to start the fourth quarter.
• Kane become the third Panther in the game to score three goals as he put one by the CUI goalie to give Tech a 14-5 lead.
• The Golden Eagles went on a 3-0 run to end the game, but it was too little, too late as Florida tech went on to win 14-8.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Both teams were even in shots (34-34).
• Thomas Strong, Max Henry and Parker Kane recorded hat tricks while Henry added two assists.
• Seven different Panthers scored in the game.
• Steve Ulrichs was great on defense as he forced seven turnovers and collected six ground balls.
• Jax Francisco become the winningest goalie in Florida Tech program history and has started the most games in program history.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will take back to the road as they will take on RV Belmont Abbey on Saturday, Mar. 7. Game slated to start at 12;00 p.m. EST.