William Kennedy scored in the 89th minute to lift Florida Tech men’s soccer to a 3-2 victory over Saint Leo on Sept. 19, 2026, at Rick Stottler Field in Melbourne. The Panthers secured their second straight Sunshine State Conference victory with the late goal. Florida Tech improved to 4-1-2 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play.
Saint Leo fell to 3-2-2 overall and 0-1-1 in Sunshine State Conference competition. The match was scoreless at halftime before Florida Tech and Saint Leo combined for five second-half goals. Florida Tech finished with eight shots on goal, while Saint Leo recorded six.
Florida Tech breaks through after halftime
Neither team scored in the opening half. Francesco Micheli put Florida Tech’s first shot on goal in the 11th minute, while Nikolai Gabrielsen and Tobias Vik Asbo also recorded attempts during the half. Elias Ronning Orn made a save in the 29th minute to keep Saint Leo off the scoreboard.
Caio de Amorim de Deus created two late first-half chances, including a shot on goal in the 45th minute. Florida Tech finally broke through in the 55th minute when Micheli scored his second goal of the season off an assist from Paulo Manaia. Max May forced a save before Kennedy struck the right post in the 61st minute.
Late goals decide the match
Saint Leo equalized in the 79th minute to make it 1-1. Florida Tech answered less than three minutes later when Marius Brandmayr scored in the 82nd minute off a free-kick assist from Kacper Gosciniarek. Brandmayr’s goal restored a 2-1 Florida Tech advantage.
Saint Leo found the net again in the 85th minute to tie the match at 2-2. With just over a minute remaining, Kennedy delivered the deciding goal in the 89th minute. Ronning Orn then made a save in the final minute to preserve the victory.
Kennedy records first career game-winner
Kennedy recorded his first career goal and first game-winning goal, according to the game recap. Micheli and Brandmayr each recorded their second goal of the season, joining Logan Collins among Florida Tech players with a team-leading total. Manaia and Gosciniarek each recorded his first assist of the season.
The result gave Florida Tech its second conference victory in as many matches. The Panthers will try to continue that start when they return to Rick Stottler Field for their next match.
What comes next for Florida Tech men’s soccer
Florida Tech men’s soccer will host No. 24 Lynn on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Rick Stottler Field. The match will follow Florida Tech’s 3-2 home victory over Saint Leo. Florida Tech enters the matchup with a 2-0-0 Sunshine State Conference record.
FSB Take
Florida Tech men’s soccer answered both Saint Leo equalizers and found the decisive goal in the 89th minute. Kennedy provided the late finish, while Ronning Orn protected the lead with a final-minute save. The Panthers now return to Rick Stottler Field against No. 24 Lynn with a 4-1-2 overall record and a 2-0-0 conference mark.
Source: Original report