FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern trailed just 24 seconds into Sunday's match, yet the deficit didn't last long, as the Sharks recovered and eventually pulled away for a 3-1 win at home over American International. Emma Heikkila and Paige Napolitano each scored in the effort, while Hannah Christophe moved into fifth in the program's all-time record books with her 25^th career goal.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, American International 1
Records: Nova Southeastern (5-0), American International (2-4)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After failing to allow a single goal in the season's first four matches, the Shark faithful was stunned after Nova Southeastern fell behind a mere 24 seconds into Sunday's contest.
• The Sharks would settle in, though, allowing the Yellow Jackets to register just one more shot for the remainder of the opening half, and soon equalized in the 11^th minute when Emily O'Connell linked up with Christophe for what would result in her team-leading eighth goal of the season.
• The momentum continued into the 19^th minute, too, as Napolitano cleaned up Brianna Paige's saved shot attempt for her first goal of 2019. Following the senior's score, the Sharks have now outscored their opponents by a combined 18-1 margin in first halves this season.
• After being rested for roughly the final 25 minutes of the first half, the Nova Southeastern starters built more breathing room for the Sharks in the second half when a well-played ball by Christophe to Heikkila led to a score from the top of the 18-yard box.
• In front 3-1, the Sharks would coast the rest of the way, remaining the only perfect team in the Sunshine State Conference.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Napolitano is now the 15^th different Shark with at least one goal already this season.
• Sunday marked the first-ever meeting between both programs.
• With three more points Sunday, Christophe has now tallied at least one point in all five matches on the year. Her 19 points overall rank second in the SSC.
• With the victory, goalkeeper Shannon Hearty now improves to 4-0 this season, already surpassing her entire win total from a season ago.
• O'Connell's fourth assist of the season now moves her into sole possession of the team lead.

STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• The Sharks outshot the Yellow Jackets by a 20-7 margin, including 12-2 in the opening 45 minutes.
• Replacing Hearty in goal at halftime, sophomore Natalie Robayna finished with a team-high two saves.
• Nova Southeastern's nine corner kicks are a new game high this season.

UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will welcome Lynn to the NSU Soccer Complex for the start of SSC play next Wednesday at 7 p.m. For online coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_WSoccer.
 

Coach Mora discusses Sunday's win and looking ahead to the start of SSC play.#PrepareToDominate pic.twitter.com/ZWw34cKudG

— NSU Women's Soccer (@NSU_WSoccer) September 22, 2019