Spartans Late Comeback Falls Short at Nova

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The University of Tampa men's soccer team falls on the road against Nova Southeastern.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 2, Nova Southeastern 3

Records: Tampa 5-3-4, 1-3-3, Nova Southeastern 6-2-3, 3-2-2

Location: NSU Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

All-time series: The Spartans lead the all-time series with the Sharks 19-9-8.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Half: 

The Spartans came out of the gates red hot and quickly took the lead on a Rodrigo Lopes goal with an assist from Tommaso Polidori. The game would neutralize in the following minutes before the Sharks found the equalizer in the 27th minute. The Sharks would control most of the rest of the half which included a second Shark goal in the 39th minute to grab the lead heading into halftime.

Score: 2-1 Nova SE

Second Half: 

The Spartans recorded a pair of early shots to start the second half hot, but neither found the net. The play went back and forth with few sights of goal for either team for much of the half. The Sharks would strike in the 88th minute to extend their lead from one goal to two. The Spartans hit back immediately in the 89th minute with a goal by Gregor Geru that was assisted by Lopes. The late spark was not enough as the Spartans would soon run out of time.

Final Score: 3-2 Nova SE  

INSIDE THE STATS:

• 9 different Spartans recorded a shot in the game.
• Geru found the net for the first time this season.
• Polidori's assist is his first goal contribution of the season.
• The Spartans were the more accurate shooters with 5 of 11 shots being on target to the Sharks' 4 of 17.

UP NEXT: The Spartans come back home to play hosts to Barry on Saturday at 6:00pm from Pepin Stadium.