Box Score MELBOURNE – After two goals in the first half by Florida Tech, an early goal in the second half by Kieran Whitehead was not enough as the Panthers edged out Florida Southern 2-1.
The Panthers (8-4-1, 5-2 Sunshine State Conference) came into the game ranked third in the SSC, and scored quickly. In the third minute, Drake Hillman headed in the first goal for Florida Tech, and Adin Kavara added the insurance in the 28th on a penalty kick.
The Moccasins (4-6-3, 0-4-2 Sunshine State Conference), stayed with the 3-5-2 formation they used against Tampa on Wednesday which saw them dominate the Spartans although they settled for a 2-2 draw. Florida Southern was held to just four shots in the first half, but the chances it did get were quality ones. Freshman Jimmy Oatman (La Paz, Bolivia) had the Mocs first chance as he sent a ball toward the net, but was saved by the Panther keeper in the sixth minute. A minute later, Whitehead, a native of Worcester, England, took a shot from just outside the box which was sent just wide of the frame.
In the ninth minute, sophomore goalkeeper Cole Clingerman (Auburndale, Fla.) faced a quick pair of shots, the first one rebounding off the crossbar for a second shot that was sent wide of the net. His brother, Clay Clingerman (Auburndale, Fla.), also had a hand in the defensive effort tonight, none bigger than a diving header that cleared away a corner kick in the 23rd minute to end the threat. Cole would later come up with two big saves in the second half to keep FSC in the game late bringing his total for the game to three.
The second half saw the Mocs come out a quicker pace, and it worked well for the scarlet and white as they outshot the Panthers 9-6 in the period. In the 47th minute, a drop pass from sophomore Alexi Cortez (Largo, Fla.) was left for sophomore Nico Guevara (Weston, Fla.) at the top of the box, but Mitch Thorn was in perfect position to make the save. Two minutes later, a quick pass off a corner from senior Stephen Pratt (Dublin, Ireland) put Whitehead at a sharp angle, but that had no effect on the freshman who placed the ball perfectly inside the far post to bring FSC within one.
Late in the second half, FSC was on the attack again and a cross from sophomore Jonathan Radvogin (Vasteras, Sweden) was sent into the box perfectly, but was just out of reach for the header attempt by Cortez at the back post.
The Moccasins return to action on Tuesday in their last home game of the season for Senior Night against #9 Saint Leo for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
