FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference offers no gimmes in regards to its high level of competition across the board, something Nova Southeastern has been forced to deal with in the midst of arguably its toughest stretch of games this season. Following a matchup with second-ranked Lynn just one week ago, the Sharks will be back in action at the NSU Soccer Complex this Saturday, this time to take on streaking SSC provisional member Palm Beach Atlantic at 7 p.m. ET.   
 
Following an up-and-down 1-2 start to the year, the Sailfish have flipped the switch and reeled off six straight matches in which they've been unbeaten, outscoring their opponents by a combined 16-3 margin in the process.
 
Palm Beach Atlantic entered the week already receiving votes in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, but likely gave its resume even more of a boost after knocking off No. 24 Florida Tech 2-1 in overtime this past Wednesday. The Sailfish withstood a pair of lengthy lightning delays and a Panther equalizer in the 70^th minute before Charlie Dennis hooked up with Michael O'Sullivan for the golden goal in the first period of extra time.
 
Despite another tough task ahead, the Sharks should rightfully be a much more confident bunch after taking the then-No. 2 team in the nation down to the wire last weekend. Nova Southeastern held a 1-0 advantage over the Fighting Knights into the 32^nd minute thanks to beautiful strike off the foot of midfielder Bestun Mohammed.
 
Lynn later countered with consecutive scores to garner the lead midway through the second half, yet the Sharks responded in a huge way in the waning moments of regulation when freshman Stefan Faistenauer converted his first career goal off a Giovani Raymond assist to even up the match.
 
The Sharks eventually weren't able to hold on in double overtime, but showed plenty of signs of an offense possibly ready to break out of its shell in the second half of the season after going neck-and-neck with the Knights in the shots on goal department and producing its best offensive output of the season in the effort.
 
For complete coverage of Saturday's clash, follow along on Twitter at @NSUMSoccer and by clicking on the provided links on the schedule page.