FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Back in the postseason for a fifth consecutive year, Nova Southeastern kicks off NCAA Tournament play Friday at 2 p.m. ET against Gulf South Conference Tournament champion Montevallo with just one thing on its mind – winning.
Despite a combined 63 victories since head coach John Constable took over in 2015, the Sharks are still searching for the program's first-ever win in an NCAA South Regional. NSU was knocked out in the opening round by Mississippi College a year ago. However, the Sharks hope their depth and experience prove favorable this time around.
Among the 24 players on the travel roster this week in Mississippi, 17 of them have appeared in at least one NCAA Tournament match with the Sharks, including First Team All-South Region performers Emma Heikkila and Paige Napolitano, whom NSU can expect to lean on if it's to make a run. Heikkila ranked fourth in the Sunshine State Conference in goals this season, while her seven assists ranked tied for the league lead. Napolitano, on the other hand, has carried a stellar defensive unit that has set a new program record with 14 shutouts on the year. A 15th shutout on Friday will be key, as the Sharks are just 1-3-1 in games this season in which they've allowed at least one score.
While NSU bowed out to Rollins in the SSC Tournament semifinal round, Montevallo enters postseason play riding high after capturing the GSC Tournament title, including a 2-1 victory over Lee in the final. The Falcons pieced together a late comeback in the effort, scoring twice in the final 12 minutes to earn the school's first conference championship since 2007. Montevallo has lost just once in its previous 13 matches.
Friday's meeting will be only the third all-time between both programs, the Sharks coming away with a 3-2 victory back in 2002 and a 1-0 win in the most recent affair back in 2003.
The winner of Friday's match will advance to the second round, where it'll face host Mississippi College this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
For complete coverage of Friday's opening-round action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter at @NSU_WSoccer.
