Lions Out Claw Panthers 2-1 in Men’s Soccer

admin October 7, 2006

MELBOURNE, Fla. – In a highly anticipated Sunshine State Conference match-up between the Lions of Saint Leo and the Panthers of Florida Tech, the Lions
prevailed 2-to-1 in the “battle of the cats” with a late game goal to hand the Panthers the tough conference loss.

At the start, both teams came out on fire producing multiple shots minutes into the game. Tech’s, sophomore midfielder Edward Oyarce (Miami, Fla.) and the
Lions’ senior midfielder Tommy Poston (Birmingham, England) each produced first shots for their team.

The Panthers struck first off a free kick down in the Lions’ defensive third where Ryan Gilletti (Melbourne, Fla.) lined up for the free shot. On the free
kick, Gilletti notched the first goal of the game which proved to be the solo goal for the Panthers. Only minutes later, the Lions retaliated with Poston
sending a cross to junior teammate Brandon Whitsett (Palm Harbor, Fla.) to knot the score one all in the 27th minute. The score and high pace action would
remain equal going into the half.

Coming out of the break, both again rallied hard to gain control of the conference meeting. As the game continued tied, the action didn’t slow down with
both teams recording 15 fouls apiece.

Late in the game, the Lions gained the advantage and scored the essential game winning goal off a corner kick from Ryo Tsuda (Komaki, Japan) who found
Corey Ahern (Seminole, Fla.) off the corner. Ahern proceeded to flick the ball to Eusebio Montoya (Smithfield, North Carolina) who found the back of the
net on beautifully executed bicycle kick.

Tech couldn’t connect on Senior Day to send the seniors off with a win and move to 4-7-1 overall and 1-3-1 in the SSC. In a pre-game ceremony Florida Tech
honored the eight departing seniors; #2 Brian Lundy (Satellite Beach), #4 Temidayo Apena (Lagos, Nigeria), #9 Michael Blimline (Reading, Penn.), #11
Stephen Dishong (Merritt Island, Fla.), #12 Nicholas Cepeda (Southbridge, Mass.), #15 Patrick Carlson (Melbourne, Fla.), #17 Chris Pruden (Ashburn, Va.),
and #25 Donald Spielman (Melbourne, Fla.). They next will host Florida Southern on Tuesday, October 10th at 4 pm on the Rick Stottler Field.

Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2006 Florida Tech Men’s Soccer
St. Leo vs Florida Tech (10/7/06 at Melbourne, Fla)

St. Leo (8-4-1 3-1-1) vs. Florida Tech (4-7-1 1-3-0)
Date: 10/7/06 Attendance: 167

Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
——————————-
St. Leo…………. 1 1 – 2
Florida Tech…….. 1 0 – 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 14:40 FTM Ryan Gilletti (3) (unassisted) – Off free kick
2. 26:34 SLM Brandon Whitsett (4) (Tommy Poston) – volley off cross
3. 85:16 SLM Eusebio Montoya (5) (Corey Ahern;Ryo Tsuda) – Off corner, touch volley for volley shot

Shots: St. Leo 11, Florida Tech 8
Saves: St. Leo 3 (Joey Gandolfo 1; Sam Luedke 2), Florida Tech 2 (Cory
Collins 2)

Nick Lauletta
Assistant Sports Information Director
Florida Tech
w. (321)674-7502
f. (321)984-8529
nlaulett@fit.edu
http://gopanthers.fit.edu