MELBOURNE, Fla. – After being shutout for the first time this season in its previous match, the Nova Southeastern offense returned to form in a big way on Wednesday night. Behind goals from
Monica Orteu,
Gabriela Alfaro and
Sofia Del Stabile, the 20
th-ranked Sharks overcame a sluggish start to pick up a notable 3-2 road win over Florida Tech and improve to 2-0 in Sunshine State Conference play.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, Florida Tech 2
Records: Nova Southeastern (6-1, 2-0 SSC), Florida Tech (4-2-1, 1-1 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Florida Tech didn't waste much time grasping the early lead on its home turf. Less than three minutes into the match, the Panthers' Elin Svensson slipped behind the Shark defense and converted the one-on-one opportunity in front of the net on a feed from teammate Monica Zabian.
- Nova Southeastern would shake off the slow start, though, and settle in nicely. In the 34th minute, Bailey Corbin nearly evened up the contest, but her shot attempt was cleared off the front post by a Panther defender. However, the Sharks would only have to wait a minute longer to cash in with the equalizer after Orteu settled a free kick from 40 yards out before beating Florida Tech keeper Karlyn Prisco for her second goal of the season.
- Picking up from where they left off prior to intermission, the Sharks continued to pepper the Florida Tech defense with corner kick after corner kick well into the second half. Unable to capitalize on a number of opportunities, Alfaro finally took advantage by cleaning up the pinball-like play in the box to give Nova Southeastern its first lead of the night.
- The Sharks didn't show any signs of comfort, either, and continued to make things difficult on Florida Tech's backline. Spreading the wealth, Del Stabile joined in on the action in the 80th minute by giving Nova Southeastern a bit of breathing room off a well-played cross from Emma Heikkila.
- Reminiscent of their meeting week ago against Embry-Riddle, the Sharks would give the Panthers a glimmer of hope following Svensson's second goal of the contest in the 85th minute. Yet, the defense stiffened just enough in crunch time for Nova Southeastern to snap Florida Tech's previous five-game unbeaten streak.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- Now 4-1 in net on the year, goalkeeper Jordan Lentz tied a season-high with seven saves.
- Nova Southeastern turned up the heat in the second half, tallying 11 of its 12 shots on goal after the break.
- The league-leader entering the night in corner kicks, Nova Southeastern added a season-high 17 in the win, while surrendering only one to the Panthers.
- With 27 shots to their credit on Wednesday, the Sharks have now registered at least 20 shots in five matches this season, equaling their mark set over the course of 19 matches in 2016.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- With the victory over the Panthers on Wednesday, Nova Southeastern ran its record to a perfect 3-0 against Florida Tech under head coach John Constable.
- Alfaro's score in the 66th minute gives the Sharks 12 players with at least one goal already this season.
- The Sharks have now started 2-0 in league play in consecutive seasons.
- In its six victories thus far in 2017, Nova Southeastern has averaged 2.83 goals per game.
UP NEXT:
Another key conference match awaits NSU on Saturday as the Sharks set to host Rollins at 7 p.m. ET. The Sharks and Tars played to a 1-1 draw in their lone meeting a year ago. For complete coverage of the action, visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
TWEETS OF THE NIGHT
