Melbourne, Fla. (October 7, 2006) – Eusebio Montoya’s (So., Smithfield, N.C.) wonder-goal in the 86th minute gave the visiting Saint Leo University men’s soccer team (8-4-1, 3-1-1 SSC) a precious 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Florida Tech (4-7-1, 1-3 SSC) in an SSC match played at Tech’s home ground on Saturday.
The Lions erased Tech’s 15th minute opening goal with the equalizer through Brandon Whitsett (So., Palm Harbor, Fla.) in the 27th minute. The striker volleyed home a cross from Brandon Jones (Sr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) for his fourth goal of the season.
Saint Leo then secured its third SSC win of the season, and kept hope of successfully defending its conference title, with Montoya’s volleyed effort just four minutes from the end of regulation. A corner kick from Ryo Tsuda (Sr., Komaki, Japan) led to the game-winner, as Corey Ahern (Sr., Seminole, Fla.) volleyed it for Montoya to strike with a volley of his own.
The Lions outshot the Panthers 11-8 on the day, but the two sides were even in shots on target with four apiece. Saint Leo goalkeeper Sam Luedke (Jr., Deltona, Fla.) came off the bench to make two saves in the second half and preserve the win.
The Saint Leo men’s soccer team will return home to face Southeastern University on Tuesday night in a non-conference match. The game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. at University Field and will be broadcast live on the Internet via the Saint Leo Athletics Audiocast Network.
