The Saint Leo men’s soccer team (9-4, 3-4 SSC) stunned the Eckerd College Tritons (6-7, 1-2 SSC), as they overcame a two-goal halftime deficit to upend Eckerd, 3-2, in a critical Sunshine State Conference match, Wednesday evening from University Field. The win rectifies a 2-1 defeat to the Tritons in 2009 and keeps SSC Tournament hopes very much alive.
A sluggish start, Saint Leo quickly found themselves in a 1-0 hole as Mike McGee found the back of the net at the four-minute mark. The lead doubled 10 minutes later as Kiki Gonzales headed in the Daniel Lopez Cross.
The score remained 2-0 until the after halftime break. Following the intermission, a rejuvenated Saint Leo squad began to overwhelm the Tritons’ defense. Playing at nearly a frantic pace, the Lions used their fast-paced style of play to eventually break onto the board.
Glenn was the first to answer Coach Joel Harrison’s halftime challenge as he blasted home his sixth goal of the year on an Aaron Gendreau cross from the far end line.
Now 2-1, any reminisce of an Eckerd College lead quickly faded as Allen headed home his second goal of the season to tie the game just one minute and 30 seconds after the Lions posted their first tally. The goal was set up by Bruce Cutler as he lofted a set piece from the top of the left edge towards the far post from nearly 22-yards out. Allen rose above the defense and nudged it into the right corner of the net.
With the game in the balance and Lions desperately needing the win and three points, Glenn scored his most important goal of the year in the 82nd-minute. On the play, Eishun Yoshida sent a pass from the far left touchline over the defense into the box. Fighting off defenders, Glenn broke free and headed home the eventual game-winner, the ninth of his career.
The Tritons immediately tried to answer as they posted multiple close calls in the waning moments, including a point-blank opportunity by the Tritons with three minutes left, and a struck cross bar. Still, Jake Hirst and the Lions’ veteran back four helped keep Eckerd from tying the game; preserving the one-goal win.
Hirst was a wall in goal during the second half keeping the Tritons off the scoreboard with three saves. The win improved Portsmouth, England native’s record to 8-4.
The win vastly improves the Lions chances for making the SSC Tournament, as Saint Leo finds themselves in a tie for fifth-place with Florida Southern and Nova Southeastern with nine points. The top six teams are eligible for the post-season conference tournament. First and second seeded teams will receive byes, while three and four will serve as host sites to the fifth and sixth seeded teams. The Lions have the tiebreaker advantage over Florida Southern, but NSU has the advantage over the Lions thanks to a loss to the Sharks last week.
The Lions will return to their home field one final time during the regular season, as they host second-place Barry University on Saturday, October 23. Kickoff for the critical Sunshine State Conference match is set for 7:00 p.m.
Donning the Lions’ jersey one final time at home will be Cody Allen, Bruce Cutler, Jonathan Glenn, Ruud Van Der Sar, Scott Stefanek, Stephen Tatum, and Troy Zellman.