LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The Nova Southeastern University men's soccer team (1-1-0) faced its third opponent in five days and fell on the road against the West Alabama Tigers (1-1-0), 3-0.
 
The Sharks had a tough test in front of them, with UWA ranked 11th in the nation in one poll while coming off a 2014 Gulf South Conference Tournament Championship. The Tigers took an early advantage with efficient offense in the first half. NSU dominated possession for large chunks of the period, but UWA capitalized on every opening. All four of their first-half shots were on goal and two scored in the 15th and 29th minutes.
 
The first came after AJ Williams won a 50/50 ball and headed it back to a streaking Clay Green, who slipped the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. Williams scored the second himself, making an excellent tackle, taking two touches and blasted it in from 20 yards out on the right.
 
NSU had its opportunities to score in the opening half but could not get past UWA's Brad Louis, who made four saves on the Sharks' five attempts. Caue Munareti Rodrigues (Jr., Sao Paulo, Brazil) nearly scored off a free kick in the second minute, but his header in the box was saved in tight range.
 
Four minutes in, Nate Bladecki (Fr., Troy, Mich.) made a great attempt off another set piece, but had his hard shot corralled in by Louis. UWA played aggressive out of the gate, but took advantage of the lead once up by multiple goals. The Tigers were disciplined on defense down the stretch of the half to keep NSU scoreless at the break.
 
The Sharks looked to push forward early in the second half, earning three corner kicks on separate attacks in the first 10 minutes of the period. Matthias Bruno (Sr., Rome, Italy) took a header on the first in the 48th minute but had his attempt go just wide.
 
UWA let NSU control possession and looked to counter the Sharks' aggression. The Tigers' forced NSU freshman goalkeeper Taylor Bailey (Greeneville, Tenn.) to make a diving save in the 51st minute, earning their fifth shot on goal in as many attempts.
 
In the 63rd minute, Bladecki fired another attempt off a free kick, this time going wide right. Just a minute later, UWA picked off an errant pass and pressured forward on a counter attack. On their heels, the Sharks committed a foul in the penalty box that set up a successful PK for Preseason All-GSC defender Alex Brown.
 
Down three goals, NSU continued to push forward for chances but could not get a clear look. UWA continued to keep the Sharks at bay, ultimately fending off nine corner kicks and eight shots, five of which were on target.
 
The match was the third on the road in five days for NSU, after Saturday's match against Delta State was called off after 44 minutes. The Sharks will play their first home match Sunday, Sept. 13 against the St. Thomas Bobcats at 1 p.m.