MELBOURNE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern battled back to tie the match in the second half, but Florida Tech prevented a comeback win by sealing the contest on a late penalty kick goal in the 85th minute to defeat the Sharks 2-1 in Melbourne, Florida.

The loss drops the Sharks to 2-8, 0-5 Sunshine State Conference. The win for the Panthers improves their record to 6-2-1, 4-2 SSC. The victory also keeps Florida Tech undefeated at home this season.
 
Panthers' forward Adin Kavara got his team on the board with their first penalty kick in the 17th minute after the Panthers drew a foul inside the 18-yard box. A few minutes later, Kavara nearly found the back of the net again but Sharks keeper Nico Rosiglioni made a great save to keep the score at 1-0. For the rest of the half, both teams traded shots and the Panthers would take that identical lead into the intermission.
 
The Sharks were not going to go down without a fight, though, as Bestun Mohammed equalized with his second goal of the season in the 51st minute. The rest of the half was much like the first with both teams trading shots until the momentum swung in the 85th minute.
 
Kavara played the hero for the Panthers as he scored the game-winning goal with a penalty kick with just over five minutes left in regulation. The Sharks were able to apply pressure, but could not equalize before the final horn went off.
 
Both teams were even with 10 shots a piece, while the Panthers held a 5-3 advantage with shots on goal. Both teams combined for 29 fouls. Rosiglioni took the loss with three saves to his credit as Panthers' keeper Christopher Page got the win by making two saves.
 
The Sharks will try to shake off the defeat and look for their first SSC win on Saturday, October 15 as they host Rollins at 7:00 p.m. ET.