Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Oct. 21, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University women's soccer team got its first Sunshine State Conference victory of the season on Tuesday night, defeating Eckerd 3-1 at the NSU Soccer Complex. The Sharks now improve to 7-4-3 overall and 1-4-2 in the SSC, while Eckerd falls to 4-11-0 on the season and 0-7-0 in the conference.

NSU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute as a cross by Elyssa Freund (So., Lake Worth, Fla.) ricocheted off Shurell Burton (Sr., Palm Bay, Fla.) and into the back of the net. The Sharks went up 2-0 in the 35th minute with Freund finding the goal. Alexis Hernandez (So., Weston, Fla.) passed Freund the ball off the back of her heel at the six-yard box. Freund's shot deflected off the hand off a diving Cory Hawkins before going into the goal. NSU ultimately entered halftime with the two-goal lead.

In the second half, Eckerd made it a one-goal game in the 60th minute as Bonnie Wessler headed the ball into the back of the net off a Nicole Bonnani corner kick. However, NSU regained its two-goal advantage in the 78th minute with an unassisted tally by Stephanie Quinones. After getting the ball off the Triton defense, Quinones one-timed a shot from the top of the 18 to put the Sharks up 3-1.

NSU outshot Eckerd 30-8 and also held a 6-4 edge on corner kicks.

Chrissy Hy (Fr., Weston, Fla.) made four saves for the Sharks, while Hawkins had 10 stops for the Tritons.

NSU concludes the home portion of its schedule Friday, Oct. 24 when the Sharks host Northwood on Senior Night at the NSU Soccer Complex at 7 p.m. The game will also be NSU's "Think Pink" night. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and will have the opportunity to make a donation that will go to the Susan G. Koman for the Cure Foundation of Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.