Nova Southeastern University men’s soccer team loses to Rollins 4-3
The Nova Southeastern University men’s soccer team lost 4-3 to the Rollins Tars in extra time Wednesday at the Barker Family Stadium in Winter Park.
NSU (5-4-1, 2-3-0 SSC) continued its aggressive play to start matches, and it paid off in the 14th minute. Senior Victor Cardoso scored on a one-touch shot from in front of the goal. Sophomore Victor Nirennold sent a pinpoint cross in from the right side that found Cardoso 15 yards from the goal. The score gave Nirennold his first assist with NSU.
Rollins had not recorded a shot before NSU scored, and despite pushing forward relentlessly, recorded only one shot in the first 23 minutes. The Tars would break that spell with a rocket from Tosan Popo. NSU goalkeeper Andrea Giombetti made a diving one-handed save to keep his squad ahead. It would be the last Rollins' strike of the half.
Guido Riffeser checked into the match in the 35th minute and the substitution proved to be a great decision. Only 90 seconds into his run, a series of deflected shots allowed the junior to fire into an open net for his first goal of the season. The assist was credited to Cardoso, who has two goals and three assists for seven points this year, good for second on the team.
The Sharks were relentless and in the 40th minute, went up by a third goal. After the Tars quelled a Shark attack, reigning Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week Parker Sweeney rushed out of position to toss the ball out of danger. The ball landed at the feet of freshman Emilio Blanco, who looped the ball over a crowded box and into the opposite corner of the net. It was the Broward County native's second goal in three matches.
Volleyball
▪ UF defeats South Carolina: The No. 8 Florida volleyball team won its eighth straight match with a 3-1 decision at South Carolina on Wednesday in front of a national television audience on ESPNU.
The Gators used 19 kills from sophomore right side Alex Holston and season-best performances from junior outside hitter Ziva Recek and senior defensive specialist Maddy Monserez to help down the Gamecocks at the Carolina Volleyball Center.
With the victory, UF improved to 13-3, 7-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
After falling to the Gamecocks in the first set, 25-19, the Gators rebounded with victories in the second set (25-18) and third (25-13). The Gators closed out the match 25-19. Florida posted 10 blocks to South Carolina's four.
Recek notched a season-best 12 kills, while Monserez had a season-best 18 digs.
Women’s Soccer
▪ Rollins 2, Nova Southeastern 0: Nova Southeastern (4-5-0, 1-4-0 SSC) lost the first of two road matches this week against the No. 13 Rollins Tars (10-2-0, 5-1-0 SSC) on Wednesday at the Barker Family Stadium.
Rollins, entering the match with Bennett Ranking’s highest rated offense in the nation, scored early and put the Sharks behind in the 11th minute. Mora Johnson received a perfect cross and scored on the Tars’ third shot of the match.
This story was originally published October 15, 2014 at 10:44 PM with the headline "Nova Southeastern University men’s soccer team loses to Rollins 4-3."