FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After earning its second consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament Monday night, Nova Southeastern's number of NCAA Tournament berths in the last two seasons now equal the number of postseason appearances combined in the school's prior 13 years of existence at the Division II level. The third-seeded Sharks aren't satisfied, though, and will look to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament win when they meet sixth-seeded West Florida of the Gulf South Conference in Friday's first-round action at 2 p.m. ET in Saint Leo, Florida.
 
Tagged as the South Region's No. 5 seed in 2015 by the NCAA selection committee, the Sharks were ecstatic to return to the tourney for the first time since back in 2007. Earning the region's No. 3 seed this time around, however, Nova Southeastern did little to no celebrating. In fact, the team was nearly silent after hearing its name called, demonstrating a business-like attitude in what it hopes will be a run that lasts well beyond this Friday.
 
The Sharks were 10 minutes away from hoisting the program's first-ever Sunshine State Conference Tournament championship trophy last Sunday until Saint Leo came from behind on its home turf with two goals in the late moments to escape with the title. Still, despite the tough-luck defeat, Nova Southeastern gained some valuable experience at the site of this weekend's opening two rounds and expects to be comfortable in the upcoming pressure-packed setting having already played three contests at University Field throughout the year.
 
One of those three contests, a 2-1 win over Barry, will deliver the Sharks plenty confidence just a week removed from beating the South Region's top seed. Myriah Troutman and Emma Heikkila teamed up for a pair of goals in a 47-second span to lift the Sharks past the Buccaneers, and will be key in providing additional depth on the front line of a strong Nova Southeastern attack that is already comprised of a pair of First Team All-SSC selections in Hannah Christophe and Nichole Poppe.
 
West Florida will present its fair share of challenges for the Sharks on both ends of the field as well. The Argonauts enter the tourney averaging 2.85 goals per game this season, while holding their opponents scoreless in 10 of their previous 11 matches including a 2-0 victory over Mississippi College last Sunday to capture their 10 GSC Championship all-time.
 
Marjorie Boilesen is the catalyst that makes the West Florida offense go, but the GSC's Freshman and Co-Player of the Year has more than enough help by her side. In addition to Boilesen's 12 goals and 14 assists, the Argos boast a pair of additional double-digit goal scorers in Kaley Ward (14) and Emily Vogler (10), while senior Sara Helgadottir has also notched 14 assists in 2016.
 
UWF compiled a record of 2-2 against SSC competition during the season.
 
Friday's winner will meet Saint Leo in a second-round matchup Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
For coverage throughout NSU's postseason run, follow the Sharks on twitter @NSU_WSoccer or by visiting the women's soccer schedule page.