FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Nova Southeastern University women’s soccer team (5-3-1, 2-0-1 SSC) ends a two-game conference road trip this Friday, Oct. 8 in Tampa against the University of Tampa Spartans (7-3-0, 2-2-0 SSC). 

The importance of this match goes simply beyond a win or loss for both squads. A win for NSU will give them sole possession of first place in the SSC as they’ll be the first team to reach 10 points. Tampa will be trying to avoid falling below .500 in conference for the first time this season. 

The Sharks enter this match after a 2-2 (2OT) draw in Winter Park, Fla. against the fourth ranked Rollins Tars late Saturday night.

In that game, junior keeper Chrissy Hy (Weston, Fla.) recorded a career high 10 saves in the match which lead to her second back-to-back SSC Defensive Player of the Week honor. Senior Alexis Hernandez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), who was conference Player of the Week, scored a goal in the 73rd minute to give NSU a 2-1 lead against the Tars. 

Tampa leads the all-time series against the Sharks, 1-9-1. However, the lone win for NSU came last year when the Sharks beat the Spartans, 3-2, on Oct. 3 at the NSU Soccer Complex. 

Last week, Tampa carried momentum after defeating Eckerd, 6-0. That momentum was immediately squashed this past Wednesday when they lost to No. 17 Florida Southern, 2-1. 

Friday’s match is scheduled for 6 pm. Fans can follow the Sharks on the road via live broadcast and statistics HERE