BOX SCORE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern men’s soccer team (4-9-1) faced the program’s most common opponent in the St. Thomas Bobcats (5-8-0) and took a 2-0 shutout victory Wednesday night at the NSU Soccer Complex.

Phillip Klaus (Fr., Lippstad, Germany) and Matthew Ilter (So., Lake Mary, Fla.) each recorded their team-high third goals of the season against the Bobcats. Klaus knocked in the game-winner in the 60th minute while Ilter widened the margin just eight minutes later. Andrea Giombetti (Fr., Rome, Italy) had possibly his best match of the season as he totaled a career-high nine saves.

In the 32nd meeting between the cross-town rivals, it was clear that this would be a slugfest as usual right out the gate. Despite a scoreless first half, the Bobcats attacked repeatedly as they recorded nine shots with six on goal. The Sharks also had chances to score in the opening half as they took six shots with two on goal, both of which came from Halil Tozar (Fr., Berlin, Germany).

The momentum took a turn in the second half as the Sharks began to dominate the time of possession. In the 58th minute, Ilter nearly scored the game-winner as he took a shot from the left side of the box that ricocheted off the right post. Although he didn’t score, the shot put the Bobcats on their heels as Klaus scored within the following two minutes. Andrea Spuntarelli (Fr., Rome, Italy) picked up an assist as he played the ball to Klaus on the right side of the box for the score. It was Klaus’ first goal in over a month and his first career game-winner.

The Sharks drove the nail in the coffin in the 68th minute when Cory Harbinson (Jr., Delray Beach, Fla.) earned his first assist at NSU by making a great pass to Ilter as he stormed into the box. Ilter went one-on-one with the keeper for the second time in the match, this time sliding the ball right by him and into the net. Ilter is now one goal short of his season total of four goals last season.

Despite the multiple-goal lead, the match took a turn late as Lucas Zeiler (Jr., Homer Glen, Ill.) was sent off on a controversial call. The Sharks were forced to hold off their rival with 10 players over the last 17 minutes. The Bobcats took three shots during that span with two requiring highlight saves by Giombetti.

The victory was the first over STU since the 2008 season as the matchup has ended in a draw for two straight seasons. The Sharks had hit a dry spell against the Bobcats before Klaus’ game-winner as NSU had not scored against STU in over 275 minutes of play.

NSU will end Sunshine State Conference play this Saturday, Oct. 22 at the NSU Soccer Complex as the Sharks face Tampa at 7 p.m. Seniors Alvin Quaye (West Ham, England) and Juan Rivera (Miami, Fla.) will be honored prior to the match during senior night festivities.

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