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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University men's soccer team will begin its 2013 season at home this weekend, with two matches at the NSU Soccer Complex. The Sharks will take on Young Harris in the season opener on Friday at 6 p.m., before returning to play North Georgia on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The match against Young Harris will be the Sharks' alumni night, with all NSU alumni receiving free access to the match. Razor will also be around campus during the day, and fans who take a picture of themselves with him and tweet it to @NSUSharks will be in the running for free NSU Shark apparel. Don't forget to use the hashtag #GoNSUSharks when talking Sharks athletics on game days.
The men's soccer program is looking to shock the critics in 2013 after a season that served as a learning experience in 2012. The Sharks started several freshmen and sophomores and finished just outside of the postseason picture. Entering this season, the Sharks were picked eighth in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll with 19 points. Rollins, Lynn and Tampa were the top-3 teams in the poll, all of whom the Sharks have the luxury of playing twice this season.
Despite low expectations from around the conference, the Sharks are built to make huge strides. They return their entire backline from last year, highlighted by two-year starter Andrea Giombetti (Jr., Rome) and 2012 All-SSC selection Nicola Brivio (So., Gallarte, Italy). Fifth-year senior Stefano Noce (Salerno, Italy) will bring depth and experience to the NSU defense as well.
In the midfield, the Sharks will display their most experience, bringing back juniors David Robles (Miami) and Andrea Spuntarelli (Rome). Returning sophomores Stefano Fanfoni (Cremona, Italy) and Guido Riffeser (Bolzano, Italy) displayed natural playmaking ability as freshmen and will look to take a big leap in 2013.
The Sharks will look brand new up front, with several newcomers looking to make their mark at NSU. One familiar face will be Matthew Ilter (Sr., Lake Mary, Fla.), who has been a scoring threat in the SSC since coming to NSU in 2010.
This group will get a real test in its season opener against Young Harris. Young Harris earned a 14-4-2 record in 2012, its first season in the Peach Belt Conference, and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Mountain Lions were ranked as high as No. 6 nationally during the season. This will be the first matchup between the two schools in program history.
North Georgia is not coming off as great a season, but will be a tough out for the Sharks as they have been in the past. They are coming off a 7-7-2 season, but have reloaded with talented underclassmen. The Sharks are 2-1-1 against the Nighthawks all time.
Both matches will count towards NSU's regional record, which determines NCAA postseason eligibility, and will also serve as a measuring stick against South Florida rivals Barry. The Bucs will be playing the same two opponents in their home-opening weekend.
Fans can follow both matches via live video HERE and live stats HERE. Follow the Sharks on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NSUSharks.
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