Box Score ST. LEO, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University women's soccer team (3-2-0, 0-1-0 SSC) fell on a penalty kick golden goal in the 93
rd minute against the Saint Leo Lions (5-2-0, 1-0-0 SSC), 2-1, Saturday in the Sunshine State Conference opener.
Once again playing through rainy weather, the Sharks came out aggressive to start the match and were the more active offensive side over the first 20 minutes.
Sarah Keville (Jr., Vero Beach, Fla.) made her presence known early and nearly put the Sharks on the board in the first two minutes, but her shot from the right side was saved by Saint Leo goalkeeper Laura Carstens.
Despite playing much of the first half in their own territory, the Lions scored on just their second shot of the match in the 20
th minute. Genevieve Gignac scored off a cross into the box from Rosie Young, leaving the Sharks down a goal for the remainder of the half. NSU entered the break tied in the shots column with Saint Leo at six.
The Sharks were not fazed by the deficit in the second half and equalized in the 51st minute. Junior
Sierra Lelii (Seminole, Fla.) set up her own chance by making a long run down the center of the pitch. After slicing through the defense, she crossed over the goalkeeper and sliced her shot in from the left side of the goal. The Sharks' No. 10 has now scored in four of five matches and has amassed five goals on the season.
Saint Leo almost reestablished their lead in the very next minute. Reigning SSC Player of the Year Arielle Kabangu struck just a few feet in front of the goal, but a split second save from
Amanda Kopale (So., Cape Coral, Fla.) kept the match tied. Kopale would finish the match with six saves.
As the match played out, NSU continued to apply pressure offensively. In the final 25 minutes, the Sharks took three free kicks in the Saint Leo half of the field, but the home defense held strong. Saint Leo's best chance to go ahead in the final quarter of regulation came in the 82nd minute. Selena Jaimes took a free kick from over 40 yards out that nearly scored in the top shelf. Nearly out of her reach, Kopale made another big play by punching it over the cross bar.
The final minute of regulation was the most thrilling of the match. Lelii received a cross in the box, but her header from 10 yards out was saved by Carstens. On the ensuing Lions attack, Saint Leo's Young struck from within 10 yards and into the hands of a diving Kopale to send the match into overtime.
The overtime period lasted just over two minutes before Saint Leo scored the golden goal. After two strong attacks from NSU, Saint Leo was awarded a penalty kick on a handball in NSU's box. Saffron Jordan scored on a shot to the bottom left corner to end the match.
NSU will return home on Wednesday, Oct. 1 to face Florida Tech at 4:30 p.m. in the team's first home SSC match of the season.
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