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Nova Southeastern University Athletics

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
MSOC Opening Round
2
Coker CU (12-7-2, 5-6-0)
3
Winner Nova Southeastern NSU (14-3-2, 7-3-1)
Coker CU
(12-7-2, 5-6-0)
2
Final
3
Nova Southeastern NSU
(14-3-2, 7-3-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Coker CU 1 1 2
Nova Southeastern NSU 0 3 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Sharks Score Three in Second Half to Earn First-Ever NCAA Tournament Win

NSU overcomes early deficit in 3-2, opening-round victory over Coker

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Following a flat start, Nova Southeastern came alive in the final 45 minutes, as the Sharks tallied three second-half goals en route to the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, defeating Coker 3-2 on Friday.
With the win, the Sharks now advance to the second round, where they'll face familiar foe Palm Beach Atlantic this Sunday at 3 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, Coker 2
Records: Nova Southeastern (14-3-2), Coker (12-7-2)
Location: Rinker Athletic Campus | West Palm Beach, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MSoccer | Instagram - @nsu_msoccer | Facebook - /NSUSharksMensSoccer

HOW IT HAPPENED:
  • Both sides eased into the match, as just one shot was registered through the first 12 minutes.
  • Aleks Berg nearly handed NSU a 1-0 advantage at the 12:07 mark, yet his shot attempt clanked off the right post before being cleared away.
  • The Sharks held the Cobras to only two shots in the first half, and three for the entire match. However, Coker capitalized on its very first chance in the 28th minute when Markos Touroukis found the back of the net to put the Cobras in front.
  • NSU continued to force the pressure, but came up empty despite 11 shots in the opening 45 minutes.
  • Visibly showing more energy at the start of a rainy second half, the Sharks were rewarded in the 53rd minute after All-Sunshine State Conference defender Farid Sar-Sar cleaned up in the box for his third goal of the season.
  • Feeding off the momentum, the remained relentless on the attack, rattling off five shot attempts in a span of 7:47.
  • After consecutive attempts by Henrik Berg missed wide, the Swede finally cashed in in the 68th minute, burying the go-ahead goal on an assist from Odei Arrieta.
  • Looking for a bit of breathing room, NSU found it in the 76th minute, as Bryan Bakboord played a beautiful ball from the right wing to Michael Lawrence, who needed just one touch to beat Coker keeper Jasper Rump and extend the lead to 3-1.
  • Coker didn't go down without a fight, narrowing the gap to 3-2 in the 83rd minute. NSU managed to buckle down, though, and hang on for the historic win.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
  • The Sharks dominated offensively, finishing the match with a 28-3 advantage in shots, including a 15-3 margin in shots on goal.
  • Rump notched 12 saves for the Cobras, while NSU keeper Alberto Ciroi needed just one in the winning effort.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
  • NSU's 14 wins this year mark the most in a single season since the Sharks recorded 15 back in 2004.
  • The Sharks are now unbeaten in their previous 10 matches. Their last loss came in a 1-0 contest versus Tampa on Oct. 9.
  • A testament to their depth, the Sharks have yet to have a multi-goal scorer in either game during their 10-match run.
  • NSU is a perfect 8-0 away from home this season.
UP NEXT:
In a highly-anticipated matchup, the Sharks will square off against Palm Beach Atlantic in Sunday's second round. NSU came from behind in dramatic fashion to defeat the Sailfish in the SSC Tournament semifinals just eight days ago. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_MSoccer.
 




 
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