FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The defense held Barry without a shot in the first half before the offense came alive in the second, as Nova Southeastern remained perfect on the season with a 3-0 triumph over crosstown rival Barry on Wednesday.
Emma Heikkila scored in her sixth straight match, while both
Sydni Bostick and
Olivia Graham added goals of their own, extending the Sharks' win streak to a program-best tying eight games.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, Barry 0
Records: Nova Southeastern (8-0), Barry (1-5)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_WSoccer | Instagram - @nsu_wsoccer | Facebook - /nsusoccer
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- NSU controlled the pace for much of the first half, yet despite holding an 8-0 shot advantage, failed to separate from the Buccaneers.
- A punch save over the crossbar by Barry keeper Maddie Hart-Pomerantz prevented Hannah Christophe from putting the Sharks on the board in the sixth minute.
- In the 22nd minute, NSU threatened again, only this time Dejah Holman watched her shot attempt miss just wide of the net.
- Nearing intermission, Bostick provided the Sharks with their best scoring chance of the half, but the freshman's sweeping right-footed shot clanked off the inside of the left post before the ball was cleared out of the box.
- The Sharks needed only 1:30 into the second half, though, to this time have the ball bounce in their favor. An attempted pass from the back by the Bucs deflected directly off the body of one of their own players, landing at the feet of Bostick, who delivered a top-shelf finish to hand NSU the 1-0 edge.
- In search of more breathing room, the Sharks eventually found some in the 75th minute after Heikkila headed a Kristina Maribona corner kick into the back of the net.
- Nearly 10 minutes later, Graham officially put the match out of reach. Created by a Heikkila cross from the left wing, Kaitlyn Chomko flicked the bending ball to Graham, who managed to get just enough on the shot to secure her second goal of the season.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Heikkila becomes the first NSU player to score in six straight games since Alexis Hernandez accomplished the feat in 2010.
- Prior to Wednesday, the Sharks last eight-game win streak came in 2015.
- The 8-0 start to the season marks the first for NSU since back in 2006.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- Following their seventh shutout in eight matches this season, the Sharks continue to lead the nation with a goals-against average of 0.13.
- NSU's three goals in the win brings its season total to 42 and season average to 5.25 per game -also tops in Division II.
- Natalie Robayna earned the victory in net, improving to 3-0 on the year.
- NSU won the corner kick battle by a 7-0 margin on Wednesday.
UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will hit the road this Saturday for a Sunshine State Conference matchup against Florida Tech. For online coverage of the action, visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_WSoccer.
