FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Oct. 7, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern men's soccer team took the No. 10 Rollins Tars to overtime but came up short, 3-2 Wednesday night at the NSU Soccer Complex.
"Tonight we proved we belong with the big boys," said head coach Giuseppe DePalo. "Unfortunately we didn't come away with it. It's frustrating, but there's still a long way to go."
The Tars (11-0-1, 4-0-0 SSC) got off to a quick start as Stephen Wright scored in the 11th minute. The Sharks (6-6-0, 1-3-0 SSC) would answer back 15 minutes later when Craig Heenighan (Jr., Widnes, England) knocked in his fourth goal of the season. Romain Onteniente (Sr. Nice, France) made a solid pass to Aly Hassan (Jr., Weston, Fla.), who took a shot from just 15 yards out. The ball deflected off of the goalkeeper into Heenighan's wheelhouse just 10 yards out on the left side. Heenighan is now second on the team with 12 points this season.
The Sharks fell behind again in the 66th minute when Rollins' Jack Clifford scored off a corner kick. With the clock winding down the Sharks continued to play hard and tied the game with less than ten minutes remaining in regulation. Brad Randolph (Jr., Detroit, Mich.) earned his third assist of the season when he played the ball to Hassan at the top of the 18-yard box. Hassan rocketed the ball into the net for his sixth goal of the season. Hassan now leads his team with 14 points.
The overtime period did not last long as Jacob Deloach scored the golden goal just 1:57 minutes into the period. The Tars were fouled just 15 yards in front of the goal which set up the game-winning penalty kick. It was the first penalty kick the Sharks have lost this season.
Overall the Sharks played an even game with the nationally ranked Tars. They were outshot 14-to-17, but both teams tied with six shots on goal apiece. It was the Sharks first second half comeback of the season and their first overtime game as well.
The Nova Southeastern men's soccer team will look to rebound on the road this Saturday when they take on Eckerd at 7 p.m.
