WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team fell in the semifinals of the SSC Tournament 2-1 against the Nova Southeastern Sharks. After defeating the Sharks 4-0 in the regular season, the No. 2 ranked Sailfish fall to 13-2 on the season and see their nine-game winning streak snapped.
The Sailfish dodged a bullet in the opening minutes of the game when NSU had the Sailfish defense scrambling in the third minute. A shot beat Sailfish keeper
Guillermo Falo but was cleared off the line by a sliding
Twan Nieboer to keep the game scoreless. The Sailfish were out-possessed early on but they were the first side to break through as they scored on their best chance of the first half. A PBA corner was played into the box in the 26th minute and
Michael Pahr rose up to win a header. The ball bounced around in the box as neither side could get a clean shot or clearance. The ball finally found SSC Player of the Year
Quenzi Huerman in the right-side of the box and his left-footed smash found its way through traffic and past the Sharks keeper.
The Sailfish looked like they were easing into the game and looked in control throughout the latter half of the opening 45 minutes.
Guillermo Falo was called upon to make two saves in the first half to keep PBA in front despite the Sailfish being outshot 6-4.
The 'Fish had the first chance in the second half to take a commanding 2-0 lead when
Fred Ferreira stepped up to the penalty spot after an NSU handball in the box. The leading scorer for the Sailfish had his shot deflected onto the post and the follow-up shot was saved as the Sharks stayed afloat.
Bicho Barquin had a shot in the 75th minute as he got behind the NSU defense. His shot beat the keeper and as it appeared set to trickle into goal, it bounced off the left post and was cleared away. Barquin had another breakaway late where he appeared to be clipped by a charging keeper, but he stayed on his feet and failed to get a shot away.
Despite the chances for PBA to put the game away, it was the Sharks who were on the front foot for the majority of the second half. The Sharks outshot the Sailfish 17-8 and
Guillermo Falo made six saves. PBA looked like they might be able to hold on to their lone goal victory until NSU scored off a corner in the 87th minute to tie the game. With all of the momentum on their side, the Sharks hit PBA for one more just two minutes later. The 87th and 89th minute goals propelled the Sharks to the 2-1 win.
The Sailfish miss out on an opportunity to host the SSC Tournament Championship game as Nova Southeastern will head to Tampa on Sunday. The Sailfish will regroup and wait to see where they are seeded when the NCAA Tournament announces the field for postseason play on Monday night. The Sailfish entered the game as the No. 2 team in the nation and No. 2 in Super-Region 2.
