Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Freshman forward Riccardo Bini netted his fourth goal of the season in the 20th minute as Nova Southeastern University handed the Eckerd College men's soccer team a tough non-conference defeat on Saturday night, 1-0.
Bini was the beneficiary of a cross from Nicola Brivio, and after the ball was deflected, he put the point-blank shot in the net.
The Tritons (2-4-1, 0-1-1 SSC) were coming off a double-overtime tie against Florida Tech in their Sunshine State Conference opener, but the Sharks (4-3, 0-1 SSC) held on in the end.
NSU's Italian-laden starting lineup took advantage of a small window of opportunity at the 20:43 mark in the opening period.
It would be the only goal conceded by the Eckerd defense and senior keeper
Andrew Hoffer made two saves while starting in the absence of
Toni Virtanen, out with an injury.
The combined low shot total was indicative of a physical defensive struggle that nearly took its toll on the Sharks towards the end of regulation.
Nova Southeastern had a 10-9 advantage on shot attempts.
Sophomore forward
Nick Murawski launched himself towards the Sharks' net with a header attempt that would have sent the crowd into a frenzy, but NSU keeper Andrea Giombetti was positioned perfectly to stop the ball.
Sophomore forward
Matt Dolan also had a pair of shots late against Giombetti in a two-minute span, both sailing high of the target.
Eckerd will transition back into league play this Wednesday at Saint Leo University. The Tritons and Lions will start their match at 7:30 p.m., or following the completion of the women's contest.
