PRESCOTT, AZ- The Soka University Men's Soccer team were handed their first California Pacific Conference loss of the 2019 season on Friday night at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Varsity Field.

The two sides remained scoreless for the first 60 minutes of play, until Embry-Riddle broke down the Lions' defense scoring three goals in six minutes. The Eagles' Stefano Recinos netted back-to-back goals in the 67^th and 68^th minutes of the match, while Mason Laaksonen scored Embry-Riddle's third goal off of an assists from Chiedu Ikeme.

Soka's sophomore striker Gerardo De La Torre created early chances in the match for the Lions, but was unable to convert,  while Soka's senior attacking midfielder Yauri De Groot,  senior central defender Hunter Stewart, and  first-year defender Chase Buchert each tallied one shot on the day.

"We were beaten by a very good Embry-Riddle team tonight," said Head Coach Ian Eggleston. "I thought they were excellent, and really dictated everything about the game. We didn't really ever seem comfortable knocking the ball around, and although we created some good breakaway chances in the first half, I thought it made us a bit one dimensional and led to us chasing the game. We're hoping to bounce back on Sunday."

Up next, the Lions remain on the road as they travel to Mesa, AZ, to face the Benedictine University Redhawks in their fourth Cal Pac Conference match on Sunday Oct. 6 at 12:30 p.m.




NOTES: This is the 16^th meeting between the Lions and the Eagles… Soka is now 0 –15-1 against Embry-Riddle… Soka was outshot 23-4… Soka's Maxwel Barainca made six saves on the day.