Box Score
Tampa, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern men's soccer team (3-1-1) earned a big draw on the road against the No. 18 Tampa Spartans (3-0-2), 0-0, Saturday night at Pepin Stadium.
"Going on the road and not losing is big," said head coach Joe DePalo. "After a week like this [beating No. 6 Lynn and drawing with No. 18 Tampa], we as a team know we can compete with some of the best teams in the country."
The game was physical from the get go, finishing with nearly 40 fouls, along with five yellow cards and a red card.
The first half was a defensive struggle, as both offenses failed to take a shot on target. The Spartans took five shots to the Sharks three.
The Sharks had their best scoring chance of the game in the second half, on a corner kick that found the head of a wide open
Erdi Guelac (So., Barvaria, Germany), however, Tampa goalkeeper David Niepel came up with a big save to keep the score even. The second half ended scoreless, sending NSU to their first overtime period of the season.
Three minutes into the first overtime, the Sharks were forced to play a man down, after
Stefano Noce (Sr., Salerno, Italy) was sent off after a red card. The red card was issued after a tactical hand ball that prevented a potential goal-scoring opportunity. After a Spartan goal was called back after an offside call, and
Andrea Giombetti (Jr., Rome, Italy) coming up with several huge point-blank saves, the Sharks forced a second overtime.
In the second overtime period, the Sharks played with a defensive mindset in order to preserve the scoreless draw against one of the nation's best.
The team will take a few days off before hosting the Florida Tech Panthers Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
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