Florida Tech Men’s Soccer Team Upsets #8 Tusculum 1-0

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Junior Mohammed Al-Sharif (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) scored the lone goal in the 61st minute to lift the Florida Tech men’s soccer team to a
1-0 victory over eighth-ranked Tusculum College 1-0.

“We took advantage of their player’s long bus ride and showed our best performance of the season on the field,” said Head Florida Tech Coach Robin Chan.
“The boys came out determined and ready to play, this win will help us get ready for the next three SSC games to come and hopefully we will build on this
experience and try to replicate the stellar performance from today.”

Al-Sharif dribbled through the Pioneer defense before blasting a shot past Tusculum goalkeeper J.P. Swaminathan (Brampton, Ontario) for the only goal of
the match. Junior defender Brian Lundy (Satellite Beach, Fla.) recorded the assist for the Panthers.

Florida Tech freshman goalkeeper Cory Collins (Melbourne, Fla.) recorded three saves for the victorious Panthers (3-7-1), while Swaminathan tallied one
save for Tusculum (8-3-1). This is Collins’ third shut-out on the season for the young keeper.

Junior Sean Collins (Melbourne, Fla.), a former player at Tusculum and the brother of Florida Tech’s goalkeeper, led a stout Panther defense which helped
Florida Tech claim a 9-7 edge in shots. Junior Donald Rhoads (Mentor, Ohio) also recorded a critical back save off a shot by sophomore Matt Ross (Brampton,
Ontario) which would have given Tusculum a 1-0 lead just minutes before Al-Sharif’s eventual game-winner.

Tusculum claimed an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.

Earlier this season, Tusculum held the #1 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II men’s soccer poll.

The Panthers will take to the road for their next match, a Sunshine State Conference match against Barry University. Kick off in Miami Shores is slated for
7:00 p.m.