FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Former Nova Southeastern men's soccer standout Darwin Lom will soon become a household name in his home country of Guatemala if his first career start with the National Team is any indication. Winless in its previous three friendlies, "la Azul y Blanco" finally erased that streak this past Sunday with a 2-1 win over Honduras - both goals coming from none other than Lom.

The forward was the recipient of a rebounded shot off the right post on his first goal, one in which he exhibited impressive reaction and ball control to put Guatemala ahead in the 24^th minute, ending a 295-minute scoreless stretch for the club in the process. He later struck again in the 66^th minute, this time by converting a powerful penalty kick, as Guatemala eventually staved off a late comeback attempt by Honduras.

"Emotions were everywhere," Lom said when referencing Sunday's performance. "I still have no words to describe it, honestly. It's all been super exciting, unbelievable, amazing. It's something I feel is going to help me moving forward. It's been the most important game for me up to this point in my soccer career. Hopefully it's the start of more good things to come.

"The opportunity to represent my country is huge. It's something that a lot of players dream of, but something not a lot of players get to do. Representing a country my family comes from, I cherish that, especially with the battle my family has been through. If it wasn't for them, I would not be here."

Lom is no stranger to the spotlight having twice earned All-South Region honors during his notable two-year career with NSU in 2017-18. Over the course of 31 matches with the Sharks, he consistently put pressure on opposing backlines by collecting 15 goals, six of the game-winning variety, to go along with six assists.

"It's been amazing to watch Darwin succeed for both club and country throughout the year, but especially these last couple of weeks," echoed NSU head coach Matt Watts, whose winningest season during his tenure came in 2018 while Lom was a senior. "To score a goal (or two) for your country is what we all dream about as aspiring, young soccer players. He has now achieved that. We are all proud of our previous student-athletes who have gone on to do great things in life. It just makes it a little sweeter when our players are professionals in the sport that brought us together in the first place."