MELBOURNE, Fla. (October 27, 2023) - A defensive slugfest went the way of the Florida Tech Panthers on Friday night as they squeaked by Rollins, 1-0. The Tars now stand at 7-4-3 overall with a 4-4-1 record in the SSC. Florida Tech, ranked #8 in the country, improves to 10-1-3 and 7-1-1 in the SSC.
The first half saw both teams struggle to make waves against a pair of tenacious defenses. The Tars were able to deliver a pair of shots on goal from
Jari Polm and
Jorge Lameiras, but both were stymied by Iker Bastida. On the flip side, the Panthers' only on-target attempt was blocked by
Max Walker. The two teams took a 0-0 score into the locker room at half.
Both teams were extremely aggressive, totaling 16 fouls in the first 45 minutes. A total of five cards were handed out by the referee in the first period.
Each side had a shot saved early on in the second, but Tech was finally able to break through in the 70th minute. Osvaldo Santana delivered to teammate Ettore Casadei, who beat Walker for the lone goal of the match.
Rollins had one last attempt with four minutes to go, but Lameiras' shot was saved once again by Bastida. Shortly after, the Panthers' Joaim Jahnsen received his second card of the match, putting Florida Tech a man down for the final four minutes. Unfortunately, the Tars were unable to capitalize, and fell to the Panthers.
Lameiras put three shots on target to lead the Rollins offense. Walker had two saves in goal. A total of eight cards were handed out in the match, down from the twelve that were given the first time these two teams met back in September.
The final game of the regular season for Rollins will be a road match at Saint Leo. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Saint Leo on Friday, November 3.
