MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's lacrosse team earns their third ranked home win and first conference win of the 2026 as they defeated No. 18 Embry-Riddle 12-8 on Saturday, Mar. 21. 
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Score: No. 16 Florida Tech 12 | No. 18 Embry-Riddle 8
Records: No. 16 Florida Tech 6-2 (1-0 SSC) | No. 18 Embry-Riddle 5-3 (0-1 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Florida 
 
GAME NOTES
FIRST QUARTER

• The Panthers were able to survive an early onslaught of Embry-Riddle shots. Tech was able to hold strong against four shots then Brooks van Esselstyn caused a turnover.
• After a groundball pick up, Steve Ulrichs marched down the field and fired a shot of his own that missed high. Thomas Strong and Aidan Addison each had shots to no avail.
• Embry-Riddle got on the board first at the 8:31, then doubled-up with another goal 40 seconds later. 
• After a slashing penalty on the Panthers, Jax Francisco keep the Eagles off the board with two saves. Tech would score a man-down goal as Brooks van Esselstyn found Ryan Chancer, to cut the ERAU lead to one.
• Carter Batt would earn the faceoff win which lead to a Joe Coveleski goal to tie the score at 2-2.
• The Eagles would hit a goal under a minute left as they went into the second quarter with a 3-2 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

• Tech would be hit with a holding penalty as the panthers went a man-down early in the second quarter. Embry-Riddle would take advantage of the opportunity and score an unassisted goal.
• Brooks van Esselstyn found the back of the net, unassisted at the 8:51 mark.
• ERAU earned another man-up opportunity after a third penalty on FT. The Eagles were able to extend the lead back to two.
• Tech got the offense rolling under three minutes as they tied the score at 5-5 with goals by Jack Cornwell and Thomas Strong.
• Florida Tech took its first lead of the game with a goal from Rob Gabomski, assisted by Reed Herbert with under a minute to play.
• With five seconds left, the Eagles would strike to take momentum into halftime as both teams were tied 6-6.

THIRD QUARTER

• Both teams fired shots early in the period that missed high.
• The Eagles had a good look at the Panther net, but Jax Francisco made a save to keep the game tied at the 11:40 mark. Francisco would tally another save shortly after.
• Off a successful Florida Tech clear, Robert McNamara gave the Panthers the 7-6 lead.
• Embry Riddle's keeper, Reid Kerr and Jax Fancisco continued to deny shots and keep opposing teams off the board. 
• After an ERAU save, the Eagles were able clear successfully and score on Tech to tie the game again.
• With the shot clock winding down, Joe Coveleski found Dawson Long who scored to give the Panthers the one-goal lead going into the fourth quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Saeger won the opening faceoff, and Tech had two good shots on net from Herbert and Coveleski, but neither found the back of the net.
• Jax Francisco saved an ERAU shot at the 14:03 mark, but the Eagles were able to cause a turnover on the FT clear and score to tie the game at 8-8.
• Francisco would notch another save which led into a goal by van Esselstyn.
• The Florida Tech defense would cause an Embry-Riddle shot clock violation under nine minutes. Tech was able to clear successfully, and Jack Cornwell scored to extend the FT lead to two.
• Batt would win the faceoff, and the Panthers would take it down to the ERAU net again where Thomas Strong scored off a Joe Coveleski assist.
• Strong scored again with 2:19 remaining to put the game out of reach.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Jax Francisco was excellent in net as he notched a season-high of 16 saves.
• Thomas Strong led the way with a hat trick while Cornwell and van Esselstyn each had two goals.
• Joe Coveleski had three points as he had one goal and two assists.
• Shale Saeger won a season-high of seven faceoffs.
• Steve Ulrichs was nails again on the defensive side with four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
• Batt, Mann and Wolfe had three ground balls each. 

COACHES CORNER
"The SSC is a grind. There are no nights off", said Head Coach Brad MacArthur. "This was no different. Embry came out and did a solid job, but we had an answer and ultimately lasted longer."
 
"We've got things we have to clean up. Thankfully spring break serves up that time. We'll enjoy this win and get focused on Lynn tomorrow."
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will head back to the road as they will take on Lynn University on Saturday, Mar. 28 at 1:00 p.m. EST.