Box Score ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University men's soccer team (5-6-1) lost its final road match of the regular season Wednesday against the Flagler Saints (6-8-1), 3-1.
NSU's lone goal in the match came off a penalty kick in the 66th minute from senior
Victor Cardoso (Sao Paulo, Brazil). However, NSU would be playing from behind nearly the entire match after two first half goals came for Flagler in the opening 20 minutes.
In the 14th minute, Flagler's Jackie Kay scored the first goal of the match on a header in the box. Up by a goal, Flagler put NSU in a hole early with another score from Jean Vega in the 17th minute.
NSU pushed forward looking for a goal for the remainder of the first half. NSU forward
Mohamed Benzakour (Sr., Rabat, Morocco) ripped a shot in the 24th minute right in front of the 18 yard box that was saved. Two minutes later,
Guido Riffeser (Jr., Balzano, Italy) took a shot from the left side that forced a diving save Flagler's Lex Craggs. Despite the lead, the Saints would take 10 more first-half shots, with just two threatening starting goalkeeper
Andrea Giombetti (Sr., Rome, Italy).
NSU made mass changes to start the second half and it nearly paid off over the first 15 minutes. NSU had multiple shots and a corner kick in just the first four minutes. In the 56th minute, Cardoso had a great look at the goal, but Craggs once again made a save from nearly point blank range. Despite the chances, Flagler's Vega scored again on a bang-bang play in the box in the 58th minute.
The Sharks finally broke through in the 66th minute after a foul just inside the 18 yard box. Cardoso took the penalty kick and slid the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal. He now leads the team in both goals and assists this year with three apiece. NSU tried to catch Flagler off guard over the next two minutes, with
Juan Rodriguez (Jr., Lima, Peru) and
Santiago Camacho (Fr., Bogota, Colombia) each getting clear chances. Flagler would evade the onslaught and avoid another goal.
After the Saints' third goal, they would only take one more shot for the remainder of the match. NSU would stay aggressive to the end and finish with 15 shots taken, with five on goal.
NSU will return to Sunshine State Conference play on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against Eckerd at the NSU Soccer Complex.
