The Daytona State men’s soccer team (3-0-1) ranked 6th nationally won both its matches over the weekend. The first match was Friday, September 17th, a night game against visiting Patrick Henry College where the Falcons won 2-0 in the pouring rain. The match was tied at halftime 0-0 with the falcon’s out shooting the visiting Pats 13-1. Our Daytona State men’s team would strike in the 47th minute with a goal from National Player of the Week Yutaro Tsukada from a cross from Lake Mary Prep, FL standout Vander Rocha. The standout 2019 Florida Senior All-Star MVP Rocha would get a goal of his own in the 52nd minute from a cross from Jacksonville, FL, native Mahamat Ahmat. The back line played exceptionally well earning its first shut out of the season. It’s important to note only one goal has been scored against them in the run of play so far this season. Goalkeeper William Diaz is credited with the shutout and two saves.

The Falcons would continue to play well in the second half ending the game 2-0, outshooting the Pats 20-2 on the night. Coach Sasnett commented on Daytona’s performance,

“I thought we played poor in the first half. Lackluster and complacent. The conditions were difficult with the rain and fast surface. I was so happy to see the guys put it together in the second half. They responded and bounced back to win the game. I credit Patrick Henry and Head Coach Brennan Murphy. They came in with a great game plan. They are a quality program and a class act.”

The second match would come less than 48 hours later on Sunday, September 19th, versus Andrew College. Daytona would play all eligible players and end the afternoon winning 6-2. Daytona would go up 4-0 in the first 20 minutes. However, this lead was short lived as the Andrew College Tigers would score on a PK before half and force a Daytona own goal five minutes into the second half. Coach Sasnett said, “Andrew would not give up, and they played hard for 90 minutes. I credit Coach Taylor Jones for motivating his guys to play with fire and integrity”. The six goals marked the most goals scored by the Falcon’s this season.

Goals and Assist by Daytona State

10’ Mahamat Ahmat (Yutaro Tsukada)

17’ Curtez Kellman (PK)

18’ Kevin Kelly (Vander Rocha)

18’ Taichi Inoue (Kevin Kelly)

57’ Yutaro Tsukada (Mahamat Ahmat)

59’ Yutaro Tsukada (Elkin Barbosa-Aviles)

Coach Joe Avallone on Sunday’s performance, “The Daytona boys came out with a mindset to win on Sunday. They played to the level they are capable of while focusing on our style of play”.

Daytona State out shot their opponents on the weekend 39-5. The 6th ranked falcons hit the road this week for matches in Georgia vs Louisburg College on September 25th and Georgia Military College September 26th.