TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2008) - No. 12 nationally ranked University of Tampa broke a 1-1 tie in the 80th minute to defeat the Nova Southeastern University men's soccer team in their Sunshine State Conference opener at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Wednesday evening. The loss drops the Sharks to 5-3-1 (0-1-0 SSC) on the season while Tampa improves to 6-1-1 (1-1-0 SSC).

Tampa's Lister Warren put the Spartans in the lead, scoring in the eighth minute on a pass from Andrej Gulan.

Nova Southeastern answered in the 24th minute when junior forward Romain Onteniente (Nice, France) scored an unassisted goal.

Tied at 1-1 for the next 56 minutes, Tampa scored the game winning goal when Pascal Milien maneuvered past NSU defenders and found Greg Sasser for the score.

Tampa won despite being out-shot 27-22 and the Sharks having a 10-6 advantage on shots on goal. Goalkeeper Ryan Thompson recorded nine saves for the Spartans.

Onteniente led the Sharks with his goal and eight shot attempts, three of which were on goal. Midfielder Craig Heenigan (So., Widnes, England) posted five shots. NSU goalkeeper Juan Vizcarrando (So., Weston, Fla.) tallied four saves.

Nova Southeastern will host Thomas University at 6 pm on Saturday, Sept. 27th at the NSU Soccer Complex.