Embry-Riddle (FL) lost to Tampa 2-1 on Nov. 2, 2026, at Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the quarterfinals of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament. The result ended the season for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s men’s soccer program. Gianmarco Bertolini scored in the 77th minute, but Tampa held on after taking a two-goal lead.
Tampa opened the scoring at 41:58 when Jalian Tover finished a deflected cross assisted by Robin Vandoorne. Tommaso Polidori added a second goal at 55:26 on Felix Poschmann’s assist. The goals gave Tampa a 2-0 advantage before Embry-Riddle’s late response.
Bertolini pulled Embry-Riddle within one goal at 77:18 with his first goal of the season. Rimon Beyene recorded his second assist of the season on the play. Bertolini led Embry-Riddle with five shots, including three on goal.
Embry-Riddle generated nine of its 11 shots in the second half and finished with five shots on goal. Tampa held advantages of 14-11 in total shots and 7-5 in shots on goal. Embry-Riddle goalkeeper Marcos da Silva made five saves, while Tampa goalkeeper Alex Hare stopped two late attempts from Bertolini.
Embry-Riddle posts program highs
Embry-Riddle finished the season with a 9-3-5 overall record and a 5-1-4 conference record. The Eagles’ nine overall wins and five conference victories were program highs at the Division II level. Embry-Riddle also finished second in the regular-season conference standings and hosted its first conference tournament match.
Embry-Riddle went 2-1-1 against nationally ranked opponents during the season. That mark included wins over then-No. 1 Rollins and No. 22 Florida Tech, along with a draw at No. 5 Florida Southern. The Eagles also earned their first program win over Tampa on Oct. 3.
Key contributors close season
Marcos da Silva played all 1,530 minutes of the season in goal and was named Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week three times. He allowed 0.94 goals per game and recorded five shutouts. Lukas Bludau led Embry-Riddle with 13 points and six goals, while Jonas Banouas also scored six goals and led the team with 29 shots and 19 shots on goal.
Banouas recorded four game-winning goals during the season. Louis Dolcini and Joseph Ben-Ezra tied for the team lead with three assists apiece. Coach Dave Gregson completed his 33rd season with the program with 278 wins, bringing Embry-Riddle to 298 all-time program victories.
FSB Take
Embry-Riddle’s quarterfinal appearance confirmed the program’s progress at the Division II level. The Eagles combined program highs in overall and conference wins with a second-place regular-season finish and their first hosted conference tournament match. That combination gives the program a measurable foundation from which to build after its first Sunshine State Conference Tournament appearance.
Source: Original report