Box Score BOX SCORE
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University men’s soccer team (6-3-0, 2-1-0 SSC) stunned the NCAA Division-II soccer world Saturday, unseating the undefeated No. 1 Lynn Fighting Knights, 1-0, at the NSU Soccer Complex.
The lone goal of the match came from
Stefano Fanfoni Fr., Cremona, Italy) in the 56th minute of play. The score came on a bang-bang play in Lynn’s 18-yard box, with Fanfoni and
Matthew Ilter (Jr., Lake Mary, Fla.) playing keep away with a swarming Lynn defense. Ilter played a short ball to Fanfoni on the right side, before the freshman scored on a looping shot into the opposite corner of the goal. The score marked the first collegiate goal for Fanfoni, who currently leads the team with three assists.
The goal came after a first half in which Lynn outshot the Sharks by a wide margin, but still gave up a few chances for the home team to capitalize on. The match started with Lynn dominating time of possession and looking like the quicker team. After the first 15 minutes, the Sharks adjusted to Lynn’s pace and started to develop their own scoring opportunities. At the end of the half, the Sharks had tallied four shots with one coming on-goal.
The Fighting Knights took control at the start of the second half, with two shots and five free kicks in the first seven minutes of second-half play. NSU capitalized on its first scoring opportunity of the half, changing the entire complexion of the match. The goal changed the strategy for both squads, as Lynn became more offensive oriented and NSU battered down the hatch to keep the opposition scoreless.
Lynn had four shots after NSU scored, with only one on shot coming on target. The Sharks’ defense, which features four freshmen on the back line, showed its strength by not allowing a shot over the final 19 minutes. Entering the night, the Fighting Knights held a 26/2 scoring margin on the season, and had not allowed a goal in Sunshine State Conference play.
The win was the fourth all-time against Lynn and the second-straight win over the Fighting Knights at home.
The Sharks will return to the pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 3 against No. 16 Rollins in Winter Park, Fla.
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