Box Score BOX SCORE
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University men’s soccer team (3-0-0) continued its streak of shutout victories, as the Sharks defeated the St. Thomas Bobcats (0-2-1), 3-0, Friday at the NSU Soccer Complex.
The Sharks have shutout their first three opponents this season, the second time NSU has accomplished this feat in program history. A shutout in their next match will set a program-best mark. The Sharks’ defense has earned the shutouts while playing four freshmen in the back row and a sophomore in goal.
The Sharks had a dominant first half in which they did not allow St. Thomas to get a shot off. NSU put the first goal on the board in the 32nd minute, when freshman
Matthias Bruno (Rome, Italy) scored his first collegiate goal. The goal came off a corner kick from fellow freshman
Stefano Fanfoni (Cremona, Italy). Bruno received the kick and sent a perfect header into the back of the net.
After a lengthy weather delay at halftime, the Sharks kept the pressure on the St. Thomas defense. In the 60th minute,
Riccardo Bini (Fr., Varese, Italy) scored his team-best second goal of the season. Fanfoni earned his second assist as he created the scoring opportunity outside of the box. Fanfoni dished the ball to
Mattia Marzetti (Fr., Rome, Italy), who sent a textbook pass to Bini inside the 18-yard box. Bini rocketed the ball into the top-right corner of the net to put the Sharks up by two.
The Bobcats were desperate for a score down the stretch and put pressure on NSU towards the end of the match.
Andrea Giombetti (So., Rome, Italy) recorded two saves in the second half, the most he’s had to make in a half this season. With less than 30 seconds remaining, freshman
Maurice Padula (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) broke away from the Bobcat defense and had a 2-on-1 opportunity against the goalkeeper with teammate
Gabriel Besada (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.). Padula played the ball to Besada, who scored from near point-blank range with nine seconds remaining.
The Sharks will now move on to a nonconference match on Sept. 12 against Florida Southern, a team that played to a draw against St. Thomas on Sept. 4. Action is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the NSU Soccer Complex.
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