SAINT LEO, Fla. -- The Florida Southern men's soccer team won a scrappy and intense game over Sunshine State Conference (SSC) rival Saint Leo on Tuesday evening with a score of 1-0. With this win the Mocs finish fifth in the SSC and will advance into the SSC tournament where they will travel to face No. 4 Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale next week.
Florida Southern (6-7-3, 5-4-1) controlled possession and many of the attacking opportunities against St. Leo (3-11-3, 1-7-2) in the first 20 minutes.
James Meehan had 2 shots on goal within the first two minutes of the game, as well as causing two corners for the Mocs. In the 27th minute,
Leoluca Diefenbach would foul the Lions attacker inside the box and cause a penalty kick. The Lions would step up and take it, but
Mars Gohier made a big save to keep the match tied. Southern continued to press hard and keep possession in the Lions defensive zone for most of the half but was unable to get the ball into the back of the net.
To start the second half FSC continued to put pressure on the Saint Leo defense that led to a free kick that was taken by
Christoph Gums that found the back heel of
Jake Starling that went into the back of the net to put the Mocs up 1-0. With 18 minutes left in the half, Eric Broady would go up for a 50/50 ball and would then see a red card for violent conduct causing Southern to play with nine men for the remainder of the game. FSC was back on their heels for the remainder of the half but would find a way to hold on to a 1-0 win.
How It Happened
- Gums took a free kick that found the foot of Starling, allowing the defender to score the game-winning goal.
- Keeper, Mars Gohier and company stood tall the entire contest not allowing a single goal.
Inside The Numbers
- The goal from Starling was his second of the year, his first coming in earlier this season against Southern Nazarene on Sept. 6.
- Gums assists is the fourth of the season for the Greifswald, Germany native.
- The Mocs out shot the Lions 15-10; as FSC had three shots on goal to Saint Leo's three.
- Gohier played the entire 90 minutes of action with two saves.
Up Next
The Mocs will travel to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to open up the SSC tournament at Nova Southeastern on Monday, November 8th. Time of the contest will be announced later this week.
