MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University men's soccer team (1-1-0) picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday night over neighboring St. Thomas (0-2-1) at the STU Soccer Field by a score of 1-0 in regulation. Not only was it the Sharks first win of the year, but it was also the first career win at NSU by new head coach Matt Watts, who took over the program in the spring. 
 
After fighting inclement weather to start the game in Miami, the first half of play began after a just a 15-minute delay under clear skies as the rain moved through the area.  In the early goings, St. Thomas missed on two close scoring opportunities, but the NSU defense managed to keep the Bobcats in check as they went into the half in a scoreless tie, 0-0.
 
Coming out of the half, the NSU defense continued their momentum limiting the close calls to just the two in the first half. But it was time for the Sharks' offense to come alive. Just eight minutes into the second half, NSU's Juanes Devia (Fr., Bogota, Columbia) caught a break through the Bobcat defense and scored the game's only goal in the 53^rd minute to give NSU a 1-0 lead.
 
The Sharks defense buckled down the remainder of the half and held the Bobcats scoreless for the shutout. NSU's Jack Howard (Sr., Maidstone, England) picked up five saves to earn up his first shutout and win for the 2016 season.
 
For the game, NSU recorded on four shots to STU's seven, but only the one needed to count as the Sharks picked up the win.
 
NSU will return to the friendly confines of the NSU Soccer Complex on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 pm when they host Gulf South Conference member West Alabama at 7 pm.