Palm Beach Atlantic University men’s soccer lost 3-2 to Florida Southern at Berend Field in Lakeland, Fla., on Nov. 3, 2026, in the SSC Tournament quarterfinals. Kobi Thomas scored on a penalty kick at 88:12 to tie the match at 2-2, but Tim Baierlein scored 27 seconds later to send Florida Southern to the semifinals against Tampa. Florida Southern scored all three of its goals in the final eight minutes.
Robi Lukau gave Palm Beach Atlantic a 1-0 lead at 27:03 after a Florida Southern mistake created a shot opportunity. Lukau had tested goalkeeper Ricardo Marques inside the opening minute, but Marques made the save. Palm Beach Atlantic carried its lead into halftime as Flavio Giannini made multiple saves, including two stops near the bottom-right corner.
Florida Southern rallies late
Palm Beach Atlantic lost Dominic Breidenbach early in the first half after a collision with Dakota Henry. The match remained physical, and Palm Beach Atlantic continued to protect its lead into the second half. Jesse Oostendorp, playing at center back with Titus Beuckman, made a goal-line clearance to keep Florida Southern from scoring.
Florida Southern controlled much of the possession as the second half progressed, although Palm Beach Atlantic created a late counterattack. Simon Beuchte fought off a defender and put a shot on goal, but Marques reached it with one hand and pushed it wide. Palm Beach Atlantic and Florida Southern each finished with six shots on goal.
Hector Oliver tied the match at 1-1 after a long throw-in sent the ball into the box, where he curled a shot into the far post. Chandler Crawshaw scored four minutes later to give Florida Southern a 2-1 lead. Palm Beach Atlantic answered when a Florida Southern handball inside the box led to Thomas’ penalty kick at 88:12.
Florida Southern responded immediately after Thomas’ equalizer. Baierlein scored at 88:39, with Dakota Henry credited with the assist, to restore the lead and secure the semifinal berth against Tampa. Palm Beach Atlantic continued to press, but saved attempts by Thomas and Beuchte, a Fabio Reck shot and three late corners did not produce another equalizer.
FSB Take
Palm Beach Atlantic had the lead for most of the match and found a second equalizer with less than two minutes remaining. The decisive sequence showed how quickly the quarterfinal changed after Thomas’ penalty kick, with Florida Southern scoring before Palm Beach Atlantic could force overtime. Florida Southern’s late three-goal surge, despite the teams finishing level in shots on goal, ended Palm Beach Atlantic’s tournament run.
Source: Original report