DAYTONA BEACH, FL:

 

Although the Warriors aren't heading to the regionals, they were still to play the toughest game of their season. They may have had nothing to play for, other than respect, but wanted to prove they could hang with the best, in reference to conference leaders Embry Riddle. The Eagles has everything to play, as a win would crown them conference champions.

 

Embry Riddle started the stronger of the two teams, with several attacks in the first few minutes, but the Warriors defense stayed firm and kept them out. Their first shot came in the 5th minute, through Phil Middleton. He struck the ball from fifteen yards out, but Zwaans pulled off a magnificent save to deny the Eagles of the lead. Despite the save, it was only two minutes later when Riddle took the lead, through former Warrior Ryan Maloney. Matthias Klatt received the ball from a throw, allowing him to drive the ball to the feet of Maloney, who took a perfect first touch and made it past Lima. Maloney then chipped the ball over Zwaans, scoring his 15th goal of the season, and becoming the joint top scorer in the Sun Conference, alongside Adam Bates.

 

GOAL! (ERAU) – 7th minute – Ryan Maloney (ERAU 1 – 0 WIU).

 

The Warriors almost drew level in the 10th minute. Hall placed a free kick into the Eagle's penalty area, which Otero met with his head. Although Otero's header hit the target, Viktor Bergstrand did enough to keep the ball out.

 

Although this seems to be thrown around quite often, Zwaans certainly made one of the best saves any soccer fan could have the pleasure of witnessing. Sam Litchfield whipped the ball into the Warrior's area, which was flicked on by Marco Harleman. The ball was heading for the back of the net; however Zwaans used amazing reflexes, tipping the ball over the crossbar. If that wasn't enough, the big German continued to impress. Maloney managed to skim past four of the Warrior's defenders, before laying the ball off to Middleton, who powerfully struck it on target. Zwaans raised both hands, denying the Eagles from increasing their lead.

 

Webber's second shot of the game came from Capuz, who found himself in space and curled the ball on target, although it didn't trouble Bergstrand.

 

Halftime – ERAU 1 – 0 WIU.

 

Much like the first half, the Eagles were all over the Warriors at the start of the second. Robin Rosen drove the ball on target in the 53rd minute, which Zwaans pushed wide, once again keeping the Warriors in the game. The Eagles kept the pressure on, and were literally inches away from doubling their lead in the 67th minute, through another former Warrior, Alexis Pradie. Riddle were awarded a free kick, which Pradie stepped up to take. He drove the ball on goal, which rattled the crossbar in the process.

 

The Warriors struggled to maintain a rhythm, and had no other chances in the second half. Maloney found his way through the Warrior's defense with only three minutes remaining, which would have sealed his position as the top scorer in the conference. He was one-on-one with Zwaans, but hit the ball wide of the target. Riddle held onto their lead, with the game closing out at 1-0 Fulltime – ERAU 1 – 0 WIU.

 

Coach Cockburn said, “We didn't play our best, but certainly had nothing to lose. It was a game we wanted to win, much like any other, but gave us a chance to try new tactics and put players in un-familiar positions. If we can take any pride in losing, this was the game to do just that. We defended well, but were weak in attack. Zwaans proved how much we're going to miss him next season, pulling off one of the best saves I've seen in my time. We also thoroughly missed Bates, who is now on the road to recovery and will go onto achieve great things. I don't want my players to become complacent; we still have one game left, and wish to finish our season with a win.”