FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The stakes will be higher and the venue will be unfamiliar, yet Nova Southeastern and Embry-Riddle will already be well acquainted with one another when the NCAA South Region Championship kicks off Friday at 3 p.m. in St. Augustine, Fla.

Led by a pair of Hannah Christophe goals, the Sharks blanked the Eagles 2-0 in Daytona Beach back on Nov. 2, marking their third consecutive victory in the series. Christophe's multi-goal effort last month has since sparked a run of five tallies over the past six matches. While the offensive numbers inevitably stand out, it was perhaps the defensive performance in the previous meeting that was even more impressive, as NSU held ERAU without a single shot on goal.

The loss was the first of two straight for the Eagles to wrap up the regular season. However, ERAU has since regrouped by defeating Rollins to capture the Sunshine State Conference Tournament crown before another win over the Tars, followed by an upset against No. 2 seed Lee, secured head coach Samantha Bohon's club a spot in the Sweet 16.

"Our players know that Embry-Riddle is a good team," NSU head coach John Constable said in an interview with the Miami Herald. "I don't think we'll be overconfident."

The Sharks, meanwhile, have arrived at the Sweet 16 via a bit of a different path, although they too needed to hit a bit of a reset button here down the stretch. NSU squandered a shot at the SSC regular season championship with a draw at Eckerd, and just six days later was shut out by Rollins in the SSC Tournament semifinal.

Following an eight-day layoff between tournaments, though, the Sharks have appeared rejuvenated, especially on the offensive end, where they outscored No. 4 seed Montevallo and top-seeded Mississippi College by a combined 7-2 margin. Christophe, along with fellow senior Emma Heikkila, have registered five of those seven goals, bringing their season totals to 15 and 13, respectively. Much of the same will be required Friday against an ERAU backline that's surrendered only two goals in its past five games.

"I think the loss to Rollins really did refocus us," said Heikkila, one of three team captains on the roster. "It showed us we need to be on top of our game at all times, and there really are no easy games. We need to perform when the time comes.

"It's going to be tough to face them (ERAU) again. They're a very athletic team that has already accomplished a lot this season. I think we're much more hungry to get the win and lift that trophy, though."

Friday's winner will advance to Sunday's Elite Eight, where they'll face the winner of Flagler/Wingate. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_WSoccer.

For further tournament information, click here.