Header pic: Zach Rozgonyi – Credit: Florida Tech Athletics
The 14th ranked Florida Tech men’s lacrosse team (9-4, 4-1 SSC) got five goals from Zach Rozgonyi on Wednesday, en route to a 15-12 win over the Embry-Riddle Eagles (4-11, 1-4 SSC) in the backyard at the Olin Complex on the Florida Tech campus.
Rozgonyi’s fifth goal of the day came with 11:48 left in the fourth quarter. It was his 37th of the season, tying the single-season record that he now holds with Jason Terry, who has held the record since 2015.
At the time of Rozgonyi’s final goal of the day, the Panthers led 13-7. The Eagles made a game of it, scoring five consecutive times to make it 13-12. A couple of late goals gave the Panthers the victory and secured a spot in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament later this month.
Gage Poindexter got the scoring started 57 seconds in before Rozgonyi scored his first of the day to tie it. Both teams would then hit the post as Panthers starter John Hulsman and Lucas Fraser for ERAU got some help from the iron. Hulsman was credited with nine saves, while Fraser had 11.
Christian Hofer gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead with 9:50 to go and moments later, Florida Tech faceoff ace Ethan Tosheff went off with an apparent injury. He was able to walk off under his own power, but he did not return.
A goal by Austin Engeler tied things at two, before Rozgonyi’s second of the day came with 42.3 seconds left in the first quarter, giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead as the first quarter expired. The lead didn’t last long, as Coleman Jacobs scored 49 seconds into the second stanza, knotting the game 3-3.
Marcus Needham scored four seconds after ERAU’s man-up expired, giving the visitors a 4-3 lead. Collin Stewart answered with 5:16 left in the half, squaring this contest again. After Fraser robbed Chandler Hake with 4:20 left, Gavin Wessel scored his first collegiate goal off the rebound and gave the home team a 5-4 lead with 4:13 to go in the half.
Rozgonyi would score twice in a span of 1:38, his third and fourth goals of the day and the Panthers led 7-4. Needham answered with his second of the day with 13 seconds to go in the half, closing the gap to 7-5.
Florida Tech took control scoring the first four goals of the third quarter. Bennett Duffy, Jakob Terpak, Justin Williams, and Matt Gutmann made it 11-5. Williams also had an assist on the Duffy goal.
After a goal by Pete Abbes, Williams struck again to make it 12-6. The Eagles got one back when Joe Anderson scored with 52.1 seconds left.
After Rozgonyi’s goal to start the fourth quarter, Embry-Riddle reeled off five straight with Anderson, Jacobs, and Abbes all getting another tally before Christian Hofer scored two consecutive goals 43 seconds apart. making it 13-12 with 4:58 left.
The Panthers got goals from Stewart and Terpak to give the Panthers some breathing room and they hung on for the victory.
For more info: ERAU @ Florida Tech Box Score
With the fourth-quarter push, the Eagles closed the gap in many statistical categories. The Panthers held a 47-43 advantage in shots (26-21 in SOG). Ground balls were even at 44, and Embry-Riddle had 21 turnovers to the Panthers’ 17.
Florida Tech was perfect on clears (18-for-18), while ERAU was 15-for-20. The Panthers were 2-for-3 on the man-up.
Senior Day will take place Saturday for the Panthers, following their 11:00 a.m. game against Florida Southern.