Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University men's soccer team (3-3-1, 0-2-0 SSC) fell in its first Sunshine State Conference home match of the season Wednesday to the Florida Tech Panthers (5-2-1, 2-0-0 SSC), 5-0.
The match started off slow, with the first shot not coming until after the first eight minutes. After 21 minutes of action in the first half,
Guido Riffeser (Jr., Bolzano, Italy) nearly put the Sharks ahead with a shot on target, just finding the glove of FIT goalkeeper Mitch Thorn. However, FIT scored the game-winner on a penalty kick on a lightning quick foul in the box. Adin Kavara scored the penalty in the 27th minute to put his team ahead.
With NSU attacking, FIT was able to add another goal before halftime in the 43rd minute.
Jo Jien Lee (So., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) made a point-blank range save, but his deflection went to Carlos Brito, who punched the ball into the back of the net.
Down 2-0 in the second half, NSU made a push to climb back in the match. In the 60th minute, a heavy storm passed through NSU's campus, delaying the match for over 80 minutes. The match was started nine minutes before it would have been called and the break took a toll on the home team. FIT would score three more goals over the final 30 minutes, with scores coming in the 66th, 73rd and 77th minutes.
Despite the loss, Lee made a career-high six saves in the match. NSU had eight shots overall and made the most of their attempts, with five on target. FIT's five-goal effort was highlighted by Josh Thomas, who totaled one goal and two assists. The match will go down as a physical affair, with 25 total fouls and three yellow cards.
NSU will look to bounce back on the road Saturday when the Sharks travel to Florida Southern at 7 p.m.
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