The evening air over Varsity Field was electric as Embry-Riddle University’s soccer squad faced off against Oregon Tech in a contest that would see both teams trade blows from the opening whistle.
A Tale of Two Halves
Christopher Cruz opened the scoring in the 10th minute, slipping a well‑timed strike past the keeper after Dario Ajdini threaded a precise pass through a crowded midfield. The early goal was a reward for ERAU’s aggressive start, a phase in which Hugo Gil, Rojvan Karaer and Kevin Yamna peppered the opposition with six shots while limiting Oregon Tech to just three.
Anchoring the backline, Erick Quirarte and Dario Ajdini marshaled the defense, denying the Owls any clean looks on goal. Their composure allowed the Eagles to head into the break with a 1–0 advantage, a lead that felt secure despite a growing sense of urgency from their opponents.
The second half flipped the script. Lucas Thompson found the net in the 52nd minute, and a minute later Cannon Spooner equalized, turning the tide with a swift counter‑attack. The momentum shifted dramatically, and although the Eagles continued to press, they could not reclaim the lead before Spooner’s 89th‑minute strike forced a 2–2 deadlock.
Looking ahead, the Eagles are slated to meet Nelson University on Monday at 7:30 p.m., a match that will test whether the early‑game firepower can translate into sustained dominance.