FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern pulled even with Florida Tech early in the second half of Tuesday's Sunshine State Conference opener, but was ultimately unable to keep pace as the Panthers slipped past the Sharks 3-1 at the NSU Soccer Complex. Darwin Lom tallied his second goal in as many matches in the effort. However, head coach Matt Watts' club wasn't quite able to capitalize on its opportunities down the stretch before a literal last-second score ended any hopes of extra time.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Florida Tech 3, Nova Southeastern 1
Records: Florida Tech (5-1, 2-0 SSC), Nova Southeastern (2-3, 0-1 SSC)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Facing the SSC's top offensive attack, the Sharks kept the match scoreless midway through the first half thanks to a spectacular sliding save on the goal line by defender Nathaniel Pells that prevented what appeared to be a point-blank opportunity for the Panthers.
• Less than six minutes later, though, Florida Tech broke through when Stian Hagboe Olsen linked up with Per Henrik Nag to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
• Still trailing 1-0 coming out of halftime, the Sharks displayed a renewed energy that didn't take long to pay dividends. Controlling possession In the 49^th minute, Ignacio Goya slotted a beautiful pass to Lom, who drilled the equalizer into the low right corner of the net past the frozen Florida Tech keeper.  
• Unfortunately for the Sharks, the momentum soon flipped back in favor of the Panthers. Taking advantage of a late foul call on the edge of the 18-yard box in the 59^th minute, Brandon Smalley served a free kick into Luca Campanini for the one-timer that eventually proved to be the game-winner.
• With 15 minutes remaining in regulation, a hiccup by the Florida Tech defense on a back pass awarded the Sharks a free kick just yards from the net. Lom's attempt, however, would sail wide as Nova Southeastern failed to take advantage of the scoring chance.
• Florida Tech would later tack on an extra score as the final whistle blew after Nova Southeastern had pushed its keeper forward in a last-ditch effort.
   

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Lom's two goals this season currently rank tied for 11^th in the SSC along with teammate Noel Johnson.
• Through five matches this season, the Sharks have notched a total of nine goals, a mark they failed to reach until the 11th match a year ago.

 
STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• Keeper Nico Rosiglioni recorded a season-high six saves on Tuesday, his most since equaling that total against Palm Beach Atlantic on October 1, 2016.
• Even in defeat, Nova Southeastern outshot Florida Tech 14-13, marking the fourth consecutive match it has outshot its opponent.
• Florida Tech's three goals scored were the fewest it has tallied in a win in 2017.

 
UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will continue its run of seven straight SSC matches when it heads to Winter Park, Florida to face off against 23^rd-ranked Rollins this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com.