FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A balanced offensive attack, coupled with a stifling defense, propelled Nova Southeastern to a decisive 4-0 victory in its Sunshine State Conference opener against Lynn on Wednesday. The Sharks held the Fighting Knights without a shot for the first 48:37 of the match, as the offense found its footing midway through, before eventually pulling away for their sixth consecutive win to start the season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 4, Lynn 0
Records: Nova Southeastern (6-0, 1-0 SSC), Lynn (3-3-1, 0-1-1 SSC)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_WSoccer | Instagram - @nsu_wsoccer | Facebook - /nsusoccer
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Sharks registered a handful of shots in the opening 25-plus minutes, but never truly threatened until Hannah Christophe chested down an Emma Heikkila pass and flicked the ball into the back of the net to hand NSU the initial 1-0 lead.
- Following saves on a pair of Nicole Staley shot attempts, NSU managed to cash in just before halftime, as Heikkila beat the Fighting Knights keeper with a header off a feed from Sydni Bostick.
- The Sharks needed just 6:57 after the intermission to stretch the margin further. After a Gaby Moreira cross from the right wing was deflected by Christophe, sophomore forward Dejah Holman drilled her fifth goal of the season to extend the advantage to 3-0.
- A Mackenzie Ramey header in the 74th minute nearly added to the lead, but her attempt was knocked away by a Lynn defender. That fourth goal would soon come, though, in the 77th minute as Staley redirected a Jessica Bonenclark free kick to put the icing on the cake.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Once again Wednesday, head coach John Constable played keepers Shannon Hearty and Natalie Robayna 45 minutes apiece. The two have already combined for five shutouts this season.
- Through six matches, NSU has now outscored its opponents by a combined 38-1 margin.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- Christophe and Heikkila each tallied a goal and an assist in the effort to lead the Sharks with three points apiece
- NSU held a 10-0 shot advantage in the first half.
UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will hit the road for the first time this season when it travels to take on Florida Southern this Saturday 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.