FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Faced with its third match in four days, Nova Southeastern shrugged off any fatigue and continued to roll on Labor Day, beating Johnson & Wales (Fla.) 2-1 to improve to 3-0 on the young season.
Nicole Staley set the tone in the early stages with her first goal of 2017 before
Brianna King gave the Sharks just enough breathing room to survive a last-minute score by the Lady Wildcats.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 2, Johnson & Wales 1
Records: Nova Southeastern (3-0, 0-0 SSC), Johnson & Wales (3-2)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Opting to rest some players leading up to Tuesday's regional matchup with Palm Beach Atlantic, head coach John Constable wasn't disappointed after watching Nicole Staley convert a corner kick attempt by Kirsten Russel in the 15th minute. Russel's assist marked the sophomore's first career point.
- The Sharks would maintain the identical 1-0 advantage heading into intermission. However, Nova Southeastern would turn up the pressure at the start of the second half and was rewarded with an indirect free kick just feet in front of the net. With Johnson & Wales' defensive wall literally backed into the goal, Brianna King hammered home the touch pass from Myriah Troutman to double the cushion.
- The Lady Wildcats would make things a bit interesting in the 89th minute when Karen Rodriguez found the back of the net on a beautiful strike into the upper 90 from outside the 18-yard box. Time ultimately proved to be Nova Southeastern's friend, though, as the Sharks held on for the 'W'.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- Nova Southeastern has yielded just two shots on goal in its last two matches after surrendering only one against the Lady Wildcats.
- Monday's match marked the second consecutive against Johnson & Wales in which the Sharks picked up a victory without recording a single save.
- The officials were quick with the whistle on Monday, calling the Sharks for a total of 20 fouls – their most under Constable.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Following week one of the season, Nova Southeastern remains the only undefeated team in the Sunshine State Conference.
- Earning her first career start, freshman goalkeeper Shannon Hearty collected her first career win as a Shark.
- Through three matches, Nova Southeastern's nine combined goals have been recorded by seven different players – only Adanna Edwards has tallied more than one.
- The Sharks have yet to trail at any moment thus far in 2017.
UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will face its first road test of the season on Tuesday, making the quick trip north to square off against Palm Beach Atlantic at 7 p.m. ET. The Sharks own a 3-0 mark versus the Sailfish since Constable took over the program in 2015. For complete coverage of the action, visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
