FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women’s soccer team and head coach Mike Goodrich will begin their Sunshine State Conference Championship defense at home against No. 19 West Florida on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 11:00 a.m.

Predicted to finish third in the SSC by the 2011 conference preseason poll, the Sharks are hungry to prove their 9-6-1 (5-2-1 SSC) record and first SSC Championship in team history was not a fluke. In fact, with 16 letter winners returning from 2010 the Sharks should be dangerous during 2011.

Revenge will be the source of motivation for the 16 returners against West Florida (1-0) after losing to the Argonauts 2-1(OT) in the 2010 season opener. The Sharks took an early lead in the match when returner Shanoska Young (Sr., Kingston, Jamaica) scored 8:44 into the contest. The Sharks maintained the lead until West Florida scored early in the second half and again at the 98:12 mark to win the game.

The win helped propel head coach Joe Bartlinski and West Florida to a 17-2-2 (2-0 Gulf South Conference) and their seventh Gulf South Confernce Championship. Six starters return from 2010 including third leading scorer Monica Malavassi (8) and Tina Murray who tallied the second most assist (13).

Sharks returning starting goalkeeper Chrissy Hy (9-6-1 in 2010) was credited with the loss after allowing two goals and making six saves in 98:12 minutes. Hy returns after totaling 65 saves with a .783 saves percentage in 16 games.

The Sharks allowed multiple goals in the 2010 season opener, a stark contrast from the 1.19 allowed during the season. Eight players return from that stingy defense which shutout seven opponents, the second most in team history.

2010 All SSC Tournament Team and NCASAA All Region Team selection Dilja Olafsdottir (So., Reykjavik, Iceland) is among the eight returners. The tireless Olafsdottir played a team high 1,276 minutes starting 15 of the 16 contests for the Sharks as a freshman in 2010.

Spectators can anticipate increased cohesion and leadership from returning senior defenders Rachael Reid (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.) and Lindsey Nowland (Sr., Cape Coral, Fla.). Reid, a transfer from UNLV played her first season with the Sharks in 2010. After starting all 16 games and playing 1,139 minutes Reid should also be more comfortable with coach Goodrich’s system.

On the other hand, Nowland has played for Goodrich and the Sharks for four seasons. She has been a staple along the back line for the Sharks since her freshman year when she started 11 games. In 2010 Nowland appeared in every game, logged 1,209 minutes, and dished out an assist.

West Florida returns starting goalkeeper Ali Ryan (16-2-2) from 2010, she logged 1644:57, made 56 saves and allowed 1.26 goals a game. During the 2010 matchup against the Sharks she played 98:12 minutes in goal, allowed one goal, and made four saves for the win.

Of the eight returning forwards and midfielders for the Sharks, five played against Ryan in 2010. Malin Broberg was one of those forwards, and although she did not score against Ryan she is the highest returning goal scorer from 2010 with 8.

Putting points on the scoreboard should be more of a group effort for the Sharks in 2011 as they replace Alexis Hernandez's (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) 10 goals and one assist in 2010. Contributing to the group effort for the first time as Sharks will be midfielders Hanna Greene (So., Baltimore, Md.), Melissa Madden (Fr., Vero Beach, Fla.), Shadia Blair (Fr., Springfield, Mass.), Kylie Griffiths (Fr., Orlando, Fla.) and forward Sierra Lelii (Fr., Seminole, Fla.).

The Sharks are 0-3 all time against West Florida losing in 2010 at West Florida, in 2009 3-1 at the NSU Soccer Complex, and in 2003 at West Florida 5-0.

West Florida won their season opener Friday, Sept., 2 at Barry University 3-2. Murray scored all three goals for West Florida.

After the home opener the Sharks play two in Milledgeville, Ga against Tusculum on Sept. 9 and Wingate on Sept.11.

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

For the latest NSU news and results, be sure to visit www.NSUSharks.com. To have results sent directly to your cell phone via text message, sign up for SMS text message delivery by clicking here. For the latest news, be sure to sign up for the Shark Alert E-newsletter by clicking here.