BOCA RATON, Fla. – All it took was an early goal for Lynn University's men's soccer team as it knocked off Eckerd College 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon. Harald Gracholski scored his team-leading sixth goal of the year while also recording his fifth game-winner. The Fighting Knights snap a three-game losing streak to improve to 8-4-0 overall and 4-2-0 in the Sunshine State Conference.
With the mid-afternoon heat barreling down on the McCusker Sports Complex, the Blue & White took advantage of some sluggish play by the Tritons (8-4-1, 2-2-1 SSC) to grab an early 1-0 lead. Just 5:02 into the match, Sam Shorrocks sent in a corner kick from the right flag post to the middle of the box. Unmarked, Gracholski easily headed-in the open attempt for the game-winner.
Lynn's defense kept the highest scoring offense in check from there, holding without a shot until four minutes remained in the first half. The Knights outshot Eckerd 15-3 overall with Matt DiCerbo logging two saves compared to Toni Virtanen's seven stops.
Although making just two saves, the second kept LU on top. Matt Knight broke free of the LU defense in the 61st minute with a diagonal run, collecting a pass inside the box. The Triton forward stopped short, switched feet and ripped a shot to the left post. DiCerbo made a diving kick save to aid in the clean sheet.
Lynn won the corner kick battle 5-2 but did log 15 fouls to Eckerd's nine.
The Fighting Knights return to the pitch on Saturday, October 15, at 7 p.m. when they travel to Winter Park, Fla., to take on No. 4 Rollins. . Fans can listen to the game live at www.LynnFightingKnights.com by selecting the Game Central icon. Follow along with in-game tweets from Sports Information Director Chad Beattie at @Chad_BT.
