Box Score
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Eckerd College men's soccer program shattered a scoreless silence in the first half with a trio of goals in the final period to stun Nova Southeastern University on the road Wednesday night, 3-1.
After falling by a 1-0 decision in the first meeting this season, the Tritons (6-5-1, 3-2-1 SSC) fearlessly waded into the “Shark-infested waters” at the NSU Soccer Complex and made a statement to avenge the defeat.
Senior captain
Matt Duffy punched home a pair of penalty kicks, his third and fourth goals in the last week alone, and junior midfielder
Mark Lee's fourth goal of the fall was added insurance down the stretch.
The Tritons earned their first win at Nova Southeastern in school history as the Sharks (6-5, 2-3 SSC) came into tonight with a 12-3 advantage in the all-time series history.
“The first half was a defensive struggle, but in the second half, things opened up offensively for us,” EC Head Coach Steve Magee said. “Tactically, we got right and we're showing togetherness as a group that's pushing us in the right direction.”
“We highlighted a few of their key players and decided they weren't going to have a big impact in this game,” he continued. “We limited their opportunities and give credit for the guys to win on the road.”
Duffy went to the same location on both of his penalty kicks (to the keeper's right), essentially automatic from the one-on-one opportunities in recent history. He is a perfect 4-for-4 on conversions this year and now leads the team with five goals.
His first chance came in the 54th minute and he beat NSU goalkeeper Andrea Giombetti to his right for the opening strike.
NSU's Italian-laden lineup evened things up 11 minutes later as Guido Riffeser capitalized on a pass from Mattia Marzetti.
Nova Southeastern knocked former No. 1-ranked Lynn University out of the unbeaten ranks this season.
Duffy then made the opposition pay after sophomore
Nick Murawski absorbed a foul in the box for the go-ahead tally and eventual game winner in the 71st minute, again besting Giombetti in isolation.
Lee came back to the starting lineup after sitting out against Warner University and found the target in the 80th minute for the final score, putting the ball home from point-blank range.
Magee made an adjustment early on as junior
Anthony Brenner sustained an injury during pre-game warmups. Without missing a beat, sophomore
Marcus Lohrmann filled in admirably in his second start of the season.
Freshman
Joe Swindell applied constant pressure and made life difficult for the Sharks' talented offensive arsenal. Senior goalkeeper
Andrew Hoffer made three saves on 15 shots by the Sharks for the win in net.
The Tritons will continue their trek through the conference schedule with a trip to Lakeland to face Florida Southern College on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
