MEN'S SOCCER GAMEDAY: Eckerd at Nova Southeastern

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd College men's soccer team looks to stay in the thick of the race for the Sunshine State Conference regular season title as the Tritons visit Nova Southeastern for a 7:00 PM Saturday kickoff.

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SETTING THE STAGE
After opening the season with an eight-match unbeaten streak, the Tritons (7-4-1, 3-2-1) have lost four straight matches heading into their final two conference matches. They are, however, still among the teams fighting for the top spots in the conference standings as they enter tonight in a three-way tie for third place. Nova Southeastern (5-8, 1-6) has been eliminated from a spot in the conference tournament but could still play a spoiler to Eckerd's hopes to host an opening-round match.

LAST TIME THEY MET
Eckerd equalized the match in the 86th minute on a Nick Murawski free kick, but Nova Southeastern got goals in the 88th and 89th minutes in a frenzied finish to score a 3-1 win over the Tritons on October 25, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Sharks lead the all-time series, 15-6. Eckerd's last win over Nova Southeastern came on October 23, 2013, in St. Petersburg by the score of 3-1.

ABOUT THE SHARKS
- Nova Southeastern enters tonight looking to break a six-match losing streak. The team's last win came over Ave Maria (Fla.) on September 26. Offense has been hard to come by in their last four matches as the Sharks have only scored one goal and been shut out three times.
- The Sharks rank eighth in the conference in goals per match (1.23) and in goals allowed per match (1.92).
- NSU's offense is led by Stefano Fanfoni and Nate Bladecki, both of whom have scored three goals. Jacob Sumaljag and Soma Gubacsi have each scored two.

ABOUT THE TRITONS
- Despite a four-match losing streak, the Tritons still could win the regular season conference championship with a pair of wins to close out the season. They would need some help, though, as Tampa would have to lose its final two matches.
- Wednesday night's 2-0 loss to Florida Tech marked the first time this season that Eckerd has been shut out, although several of the team's top offensive threats didn't play including leading scorer Richard Ainscough. Ainscough enters tonight with five goals and five assists on the season.
- Alex Gott continues to lead the conference in goals allowed average (1.14) and save percentage (.790). The sophomore has stopped 49 shots this season.