FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In a match with huge implications, including the quest to stay ahead of the pack in the Sunshine State Conference standings, the Battle of the Fish more than lived up to expectations. In the end, however, the Nova Southeastern men's soccer team came up short to Palm Beach Atlantic at the NSU Soccer Complex on Wednesday evening, falling by a score of 1-0.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Palm Beach Atlantic 1, Nova Southeastern 0
Records: Palm Beach Atlantic (12-1, 6-1 SSC), Nova Southeastern (9-3, 5-2 SSC)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Though the Sailfish and Sharks entered the match one and two in the conference in scoring, the match started as a defensive showcase and stayed that way throughout. The first shot by either team wasn't taken until just past the nine-minute mark, from the Sailfish side but saved by Sharks' goalkeeper Brian Lopez.
- The Sharks had their first try in the 19th minute, but Bradley Fountain's attempt was blocked before reaching the Sailfish keeper.
- The rest of the half saw just four more shots, with neither coming in nearly the final 12 minutes before the horn. The Sharks saw another chance in the 28th minute, but Fountain was blocked once again and Ignacio Goya's rebound attempt went wide.
- The first good look of the second half came in the 54th minute from the Sailfish, but fortunately for the Sharks, the attempt hit the crossbar and bounced away from further harm.
- Goya had the home team's first shot on goal in the 74th minute, but it was saved by the PBA net minder.
- After 75 minutes of scoreless action, a divisive foul call in the box against the Sharks presented the best scoring chance yet for either team. Lopez readied himself against the ensuing penalty kick to keep the Sailfish off the board, but dove the wrong way as the ball rolled by.
- The Sharks would see just two opportunities to tie the match; Darwin Lom's shot in the 79th minute was wide and Juan Nunez's in the 82nd was saved.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- This was the first time all season the Sharks were shutout, and snaps a 15-match streak dating back to last season in which the Sharks had scored at least one goal. The last shutout came nearly a full year ago, Oct. 17, at Tampa. Six days before, they were also shut out by a No. 5-ranked PBA squad, that time on the road by a 4-0 final.
- Though the Sharks came in second in the SSC, and 24th in the nation, in shots per game with 16.91, they were held to just 10 tonight, matching their lowest total of the season. The defense, on the other hand, held the Sailfish to a season-low eight of their own, well below their conference-best mark of 18.83, which was fifth among all Division II teams.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- The Sharks outshot the Sailfish 10-8 on the night, including 4-3 in the first half and 6-5 in the second. Both teams had two shots on goal.
- Fountain and Goya shared the team lead in shots with three each.
- Sebastian Loibl, the SSC leader in shots, goals and points, and among the Top-20 players in the country in all three categories, was held without a shot for the first time in his Sharks career and without a point for just the fourth time.
UP NEXT:
The Sharks will look to bounce back on Saturday when they face the Saint Leo Lions at the NSU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. For complete coverage of the action, visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
