WINTER PARK, Fla. – Kicking off the 2024 regular season, the Lander men's soccer team fell 2-0 to No. 3-ranked Florida Tech in a neutral-site match on Friday afternoon on the campus of Rollins College.

The Bearcats played rock solid defense in the first half as they held the Panthers to just two shots on goal over the first 45 minutes; keeper Juan Rodriguez made two saves to keep Florida Tech off the board.

Carlos Madrid had a chance in the 47th minute but couldn't capitalize before the Panthers struck first in the 58th minute for a 1-0 lead. They added another goal seven minutes later to go up by 2. Christian Hatley had an opportunity 30 minutes after Madrid's shot on net but was stopped by Tech's goalie.

Lander has tomorrow off before returning to action against host Rollins on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET.