Falcons Split Home SSAC Matches
TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. - The Florida College men's soccer hosted last week's SSAC match-ups with Bethel University on Thursday night and Martin Methodist College on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons dropped a heartbreaker to the 16th ranked Wildcats from Bethel but bounced back to take down the Redhawks of Martin Methodist.
Thursday night's matchup vs the 16th ranked Wildcats was a thrilling spectacle as both teams battled fiercely, forcing Bethel to need overtime to find a winner. The first half was evenly contested with Bethel narrowly outshooting the Falcons 6-4 and taking a 1-0 advantage into halftime with a 29th-minute goal from Don Obare. The second half would see more of the same intensity with the Falcons finding an equalizer in the 72nd minute from Davinson Mera, assisted by Nick Wlodarczyk. Just 10 minutes later, the Wildcats seemed to have found the game-winner from a free kick by Wilson Musyoka in the 82nd minute to take the 2-1 lead. Although the Wildcats took the lead late, the Falcons battled back, stunning Bethel with the equalizer in the 85th minute, giving Davinson Mera his second goal of the game with Connor Nixon getting the assist. Both teams kept things very tight until the final whistle, which meant another overtime match for the Falcons. Five minutes into the overtime period, Bernanrdo Torres found the game-winning goal, giving the 16th ranked Wildcats a narrow escape from the Falcons.
Despite a heartbreaking overtime loss to Bethel, the Falcons had to gather themselves for a crucial SSAC match on Saturday. The Falcons would host the Martin Methodist Redhawks, who knocked off #20 Mobile University in the previous week. The game with the Redhawks would go a long way in deciding how the SSAC standings would shape out in the closing weeks of conference play.
The first half was played at a slow tempo as both teams battled for supremacy in the early going. The Redhawks carried most of the play in the first half but were unable to find any clear chances, sending both teams into halftime 0-0. The Falcons would come out firing in the second half, creating chances but unable to find the go-ahead goal. The game would change in the 70th minute, when Groutchov Pierre was able to find the net from a pass by Raymundo Cervantes, giving the Falcons the 1-0 edge. Just 8 minutes later, the Falcons would find the insurance goal by Marc Joseph, assisted by Groutchov Pierre. The Falcons secured the 2-0 victory, giving them another shutout in SSAC play.
The Falcons will return to the field Tuesday, October 23rd for senior night at Quall's Field vs Johnson University FL. Kickoff will be at 6 PM. Come out and support this year's Seniors on Tuesday night, and support the Falcons by downloading the 'Florida College Athletics' app and following us on Twitter @FC_Athletics_