Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. –
Anthony Arico and
Nick Murawski were the beneficiaries of pinpoint passes from their teammates and the Eckerd College men's soccer team downed Nova Southeastern University in a breezy Wednesday-night affair, 2-1.
Murawski headed in the go-ahead score late in the second half and the Tritons (7-3-1, 2-1-1 SSC) fended off a furious rally attempt by the Sharks (3-6-1, 1-4 SSC) in the final four minutes of play.
“I thought we played very well in the first half and found a way to win in the second half,” EC Head Coach Steve Magee said. “It might not have been very pretty, but any win is a good win. I'm proud of Nick (Murawski) for coming through for us in a clutch situation.”
The Tritons appeared to have the upper hand in the first half in terms of possession, mobilizing well on offense to hold a 6-1 advantage in the shot department.
Arico was a handful for the Nova Southeastern defense down the near side and the crafty senior converted a sliding one-timer in the middle of the box off a feed from
Matt Knight and
Drew Smith for his third goal of the season.
Arico scored in the 18th minute of play past an outstretched save attempt by NSU goalkeeper Andrea Giombetti. The Eckerd lead held up until halftime before the Sharks pulled even seven minutes after the intermission.
Nova Southeastern played a long ball past midfield into the box and as multiple bodies hit the turf while jostling for position, Halil Tozar managed to fire a shot while lying on the ground that found the net at the 52:11 mark.
Enter Murawski, who settled in front of the net and received a well-placed free kick from
Matt Duffy about 30 yards out that grazed the top of his head. His eventual game-winner and second score of the season came in the 76th minute.
Three of the Nova Southeastern's seven shots came as time in regulation was ticking down, none closer than a sliding errant shot by Eric Tarmey, who was all alone by the front right post.
Tozar also had a pair of good looks at the net in the closing moments as NSU looked to tie, but reigning SSC Defensive Player of the Week
Toni Virtanen shut the door for his sixth win tending net.
Virtanen, coming off back-to-back shutouts against No. 24 Saint Leo University and No. 9 Barry University, made three saves as the victor.
The Tritons return to the Turley Athletic Complex on Saturday to host Florida College in a non-conference matchup. The weekend contest is set for a 6 p.m. start.
