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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern men’s soccer team is set to begin the 2011 season as they head into a weekend in which they face North Georgia on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. and West Florida on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the NSU Soccer Complex.

The weekend will begin a new chapter in the rich history of the men’s soccer program as 17 newcomers will suit up in their home jerseys for the first time. This year’s squad is made up 14 freshmen who will experience college soccer for the very first time.

Some of the questions headed into the game include how head coach Giuseppe DePalo will use his new weapons. Who will start up front for the Sharks? The roster is loaded with talented offensive players, including last year’s second-leading scorer in Matthew Ilter (So., Lake Mary, Fla.). Also competing for a starting job will be offensive-minded freshmen James Pucci (Carrara, Italy), Tyree Clarke (Birmingham, England) and Halil Tozar (Berlin, Germany).

Another question will be who DePalo chooses to start at goalkeeper. Sophomore Nathan Cox (Fircrest, Wash.) is competing for time against freshmen Steffen Rau (Stuttgart, Germany) and Andrea Giombetti (Rome, Italy). In the Sharks’ final scrimmage of the season against Florida International, Rau and Giombetti split time evenly.

These newcomers will face no tune up opponents to begin the season as North Georgia and West Florida are two dangerous squads. Friday night, the Sharks will kick off the year against an opponent that got the better of the Sharks two years ago when North Georgia defeated NSU, 2-0, on its home field. Despite the fact that seniors Alvin Quaye (West Ham, England) and Juan Rivera (Miami, Fla.) are the only current players who were active on that 2009 squad, the Sharks will be looking to avenge a disappointing upset.

Last season, North Georgia went 8-6-4 and finished sixth in the Peach Belt Conference. However, the team will be the most experienced team on the field Friday as they return 17 letterwinners from the previous year. That group includes Gray Phillips, the Saints’ leading scorer in 2010.

Win or lose, the Sharks will have to move on to face West Florida in less than 48 hours. The Argos, who will host this year’s NCAA National Championship, are another opponent who got the better of the Sharks in their last meeting. On Oct. 23, 2010, NSU traveled to West Florida and lost, 1-0, which virtually ended the Sharks’ hopes of making the postseason.

The Sharks will face what will seem like the same team from last season as the Argos return eight starters from 2010. However, UWF will have to deal with the loss of Daniel Martini who scored 11 goals in 2010.

The third opponent for the Sharks this weekend will be the South Florida weather. Outside of the risk of thunderstorms, the Sharks and Argos will face highs in the upper 80’s on Sunday along with the normal South Florida humidity. The team that pulls out the victory will likely be the team that is more conditioned to deal with the Fort Lauderdale summer heat.

Following this weekend will be a road trip to Tennessee to face two South Atlantic Conference teams. It will be important for the Sharks to head into their road trip on a high note and continue to build momentum for Sunshine State Conference action.

Fans can watch the NSU men’s soccer team this weekend via live video HERE and live stats HERE. Follow the Sharks on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NSUSharks.

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