Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. - The Fire took on the SCAD Bees at the Southeastern Soccer Complex this cool, Fall night. Due to Hurricane Matthew occurring earlier in the season, the previously scheduled match between the two teams had been postponed until tonight. The long awaited game did not disappoint, as the Fire were able to hold off the Bees by a score of 2-1.
As the sun was beginning to set in the 17th minute of the competition, the Fire found the back of the net. The play was masterfully set up when Pedro Ivo Dias sent the ball forward to Luke Marchesani who carved one between the Bees' defense to Gerritson Craane. Gerritson was able to finish the play to the far left post, beating Bees' keeper Fernando Zeledon.
Despite the momentum being in the Fire's favor, the Bees continued to charge forward. For the remainder of the half, SCAD applied constant pressure on Southeastern's defense. The shots on goal were nearly identical for both teams in the first half of the game, with SCAD outshooting the Fire 5-4.
Just five minutes into the second half, the Fire scored again off of an electrifying strike from Jake Van Der Luit. A low cross sent into the box by Craane found Van Der Luit, who was waiting to put the final touch on the ball into the netting. The goal marked Van Der Luit's eighth of the season and Craane's third assist of the year.
Throughout the second half, the Bees assembled all 10 men deep into the attacking third. In doing so, SCAD was able to generate their lone goal of the match when Kaleem Haitham located the loose ball in the box and delivered the touch to the back of the net.
During the contest, SCAD dominated in the number of corner kick opportunities generated. In spite of receiving five corners in the second half, the Bees were unable to find the equalizer they were seeking. When the final whistle blew, the Fire reigned victorious.
"I could not be more proud of our defending," said coach Clay Roberts. "In the end, it was a good team win for us."
The Fire return to their home pitch on Thursday, October 27, at 7:30 pm when they will compete against St. Thomas University.
