FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A converted penalty kick in just the fourth minute proved to be the difference, as No. 13 Nova Southeastern suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat at home against No. 23 Tampa on Saturday.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: No. 23 Tampa 1, No. 13 Nova Southeastern 0
Records: No. 23 Tampa (8-2, 5-1 SSC), No. 13 Nova Southeastern (5-3-1, 2-3 SSC)
Location: NSU Soccer Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter – @NSU_MSoccer | Instagram – @nsu_msoccer | Facebook – /nsusoccer
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- NSU didn’t do itself any favors at the start of Saturday’s match after a foul in the box just 3:27 in resulted in a penalty kick goal by Tampa’s Omar Thali.
- The early deficit seemed to spark the Sharks, as the offense responded with a number of scoring chances following the initial goal. Nick Brisevac earned a good look on a free kick in the 32nd minute, only to have his well-struck attempt saved by Spartans keeper Adam Forster.
- A deflected shot by Alberto Rentero nearly caught Forster off guard in the 35th minute before the keeper managed to coral the ball.
- The Sharks’ best scoring opportunity of the night, though, came in the 43rd minute when they drew a foul in the box. Tied for the team lead with three goals, Matty Cornish clanked the ensuing penalty kick attempt just off the inside of the right post before both his and Michael Lawrence’s rebounded efforts were spurned once again by Forster.
- The second half was a similar story as well. A missile off the foot of Brisevac from about 25 yards out was tipped away at the last second by Forster in the 51st minute.
- Odei Arrieta then followed with two quality chances in the 68th and 74th minutes, yet both shots missed off target.
- NSU mustered one final attempt in the 90th minute on a shot by Andrea Franchetto. Sticking to the theme of the night, though, Forster made a strong save to secure the win for the Spartans.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- All three of the Sharks’ losses this season have come against ranked opponents.
- The defeat snapped NSU’s modest, two-game win streak versus Tampa.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- The Sharks limited the Spartans to just one shot on goal, while registering seven as a team.
- Overall, NSU outshot Tampa by a margin of 20-8.
UP NEXT:
The Sharks will host Shaw next Wednesday at 7 p.m. in their final non-conference match of the regular season. For complete coverage, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com, or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_MSoccer.
