Men's soccer team shuts out No. 1 Monroe College

The Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team handed the No. 1 team in the country a loss on Saturday night.

The seventh-ranked Titans scored a goal in each half to post the 2-0 victory over the Mustangs in a game broadcast live on WEFS-TV at Orlando Health Stadium on the Melbourne campus.

Monroe College dominated possession early in the match and had a couple of good looks but the Tiatns defense was up to the challenge.

Then with 16 minutes and 12 seconds left in the first half Daniele Verdirosi was taken down in the box. He stepped up to the penalty line and struck a ball past goalkeeper Riku Yamasaki and into the lower corner of the net. It was the first goal that Yamasaki allowed this season.

The Titans continued to put pressure on the Monroe College defense and with 29:36 left in the match Christoph Steinleitner found Verdirosi who was breaking for the net. The sophomore took one dribble and struck it into the corner of the net. It was Verdirosi's second goal of the night and his ninth of the season.

It looked as if Monroe College would score late in the context but goalkeeper Kodai Tsuzuki made a diving save, tapping it out and then Niall Lovelock tapped the ball away, sliding into the side of the goal.

The shutout was the fifth of the season for the Titans who have now improved to 9-1 on the season. Eastern Florida State College, who is now 9-1 overall, will be back at home Monday for a 5 p.m. match against Inspiration Academy at 5 p.m.