Nova Southeastern University issued the following announcement on Nov. 12.
NSU scores twice in closing 3:29 to upset Palm Beach Atlantic
Nova Southeastern huffed and puffed, and after being turned away time and time again, finally blew the house down, scoring twice in the final 3:29 to earn a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic to advance to Sunday’s Sunshine State Conference Tournament final.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score: Nova Southeastern 2, Palm Beach Atlantic 1
Records: Nova Southeastern 12-3-2, Palm Beach Atlantic 13-2
Location: Rinker Athletic Campus | West Palm Beach, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter & Instagram – @NSU_MSoccer, Facebook – NSU Sharks Men’s Soccer
HOW IT HAPPENED
NSU came out strong in the early portion of the first half, yet was unable to convert on a quartet of shot attempts, two of which were saved by PBA keeper Guillermo Falo.
Despite their solid play, the Sharks yielded the match’s first goal in the 26th minute after a failed corner kick clearance ended up being put into the back of the net by SSC Player of the Year, Quenzi Huerman.
Both sides mustered just three combined shots the rest of the way, as the Sharks headed into halftime trailing 1-0.
The match had the looks of one that may be all but over in the 54th minute when the Sailfish earned a penalty kick. However, NSU keeper Alberto Ciroi deflected the attempt off the left post before finally corralling the ball on another rebounded effort.
The chances would soon come for the Sharks. The only problem was the equalizer wouldn’t. Odei Arrieta had an attempt stopped in the 58th minute, while Matty Cornish did as well in the 64th. Shots by Michael Lawrence and Cornish missed wide in the ensuing moments, with two more opportunities spurned by the PBA keeper in the 78th minute.
Urging each other to remain patient, the patience eventually paid off in the 87th minute, as Floris Van Nijnanten finally beat Falo on a corner bent in by Arrieta.
With the match finally knotted up, and all the momentum seemingly with NSU, the Sharks capitalized. Needing just 1:54 to do so, Aleks Berg delivered the biggest goal of the year thus far, volleying a blocked shot attempt from the right side of the box past Falo to clinch the wild comeback.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
The Sharks avenged their loss from earlier this season after PBA knocked them off 4-0 in Fort Lauderdale back on Oct. 6.
PBA entered the match on a nine-game win streak and ranked as the No. 2 team in the nation.
With the win, the Sharks current unbeaten streak is now up to eight games.
STATS OF THE NIGHT
Following an even first half, the Sharks commanded the final 45 minutes, outshooting the Sailfish by an 11-4 margin. NSU also held a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks in the second half.
Original source can be found here.
