The Florida Tech Panthers men’s soccer team improved to 8-1 Tuesday night, beating Saint Leo 2-0 in a Sunshine State Conference match at Rick Stottler Field.
The Panthers, who moved up to number 12 in the rankings earlier this week, did that ranking no harm on Tuesday, getting second-half goals from Hugo Lopez and Mikkel Roeisland. For Roeisland, who assisted on the Lopez goal, it was his first tally of the season.
This game was originally scheduled to be played on September 29, but it was stopped late in the first half due to rain and unplayable field conditions. At the time, the Panthers led 2-0, but that score and the stats were wiped out, as the game had not reached the 70-minute mark.
Florida Tech goalkeeper Luuk Teurlinx improved to 2-0 on the season, picking up two saves in the game, while giving starter Christopher Page a much-deserved night off.
After a scoreless first half, the Panthers (8-1, 5-0 SSC) got things going six minutes into the second half. Roeisland fed Lopez with a long pass and Lopez gained control, knocking it down with his chest and rifling it past Lions’ goaltender Wessel Berenschot, giving the home team a 1-0 lead.
The second goal came off a corner by Josh Thomas that was saved by Berenschot, but Roeisland collected the rebound and put it in the back of the net. That goal finished off a dominant night for the Panthers, who outshot Saint Leo 11-1 in the first half and 25-3 overall. They also dominated in corner kicks, 13-2.
For more info: Saint Leo @ Florida Tech Box Score
Jan Halvica had to sit out this game after receiving a red card in Saturday’s win over Embry-Riddle. He will be eligible to play Saturday when the Panthers host the Barry Bucs Saturday night. That game gets underway at 7:00 p.m.
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