The Florida Tech Panthers lost a key Sunshine State Conference match on Wednesday night, losing to Lynn 2-1 in Boca Raton, Florida.

This was a tough loss for the Panthers, considering they beat then #22 Barry on Saturday and came into tonight’s match ranked second in the South Region of the NCAA Division II poll.

The Panthers (9-3, 5-3 SSC) held much of the possession through the first 17 minutes or so but were not able to get anything by Lynn goalie Roberto Bazzichetto.

Lynn (10-3, 7-2 SSC) finally got things going offensively in the next couple minutes and the took advantage of their first real opportunity, as Tomer Bitton beat Panthers goalie Aymerick Berald Catelo, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. The assist on that goal went to Max Herbert, who set it up with his free kick.

Bitton had another chance 10 minutes later, but Catelo came up with a big save. The Panthers did not get much opportunity the rest of the first half and the Fighting Knights held the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

Florida Tech took just three shots in that first half that registered, but they took more than that, only to have them blocked, especially early in the half. Lynn took six shots, scoring the one goal.

Per Henrik Nag got Florida Tech’s first good chance of the second half 4:42 in, with a header that was saved by Bazzichetto. Craig McCall got a corner a few minutes later and he got it into the box, but the header by Hugo Lopez went wide.

Florida Tech finally got on the board when Lopez found Luca Campanini, who found the left side of the net and tied the game, 1-1.

The match remained tied until Herbert took a corner kick with 78:36 gone in the match. He found Lukas Hombach, who headed it past Catelo to give the Fighting Knights a 2-1 lead.

Florida Tech coach Robin Chan decided to shake things up after that goal, inserting Jason Fesquet in goal, who started for the Panthers in the early part of the season.

Bazzichetto made a save late in the game and earned a yellow card in the last 22 seconds, but the Fighting Knights hung on for the victory.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Lynn Box Score

The Panthers return home on Saturday night to celebrate Senior Night. They will take on the University of Tampa. The match is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start, with the seniors being honored before the match.