Women’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer captured the South Region Championship on Dec. 5, routing Embry-Riddle by a score of 2-1. After a 1-1 stalemate at the end of the first half, senior Gaby Moreira found the back of the net with a strike in the 65th minute to open up the scoring 2-1 in the Sharks favor. Their efforts in the regular season paid off as NSU was able to capture the trophy for the first time in team history.
After clinching the South Region Championship on Dec. 5, Women’s Soccer went onto play Flagler on Dec. 8 in the Elite Eight. Unfortunately, their efforts were stopped short when they were beaten by a count of 4-0. While this was a sour way for the season to end, Women’s Soccer kept their heads up, having ended the season with a program record of 17 wins and capturing their first South Region Championship in program history as well.
Men’s Basketball
After a bit of a slow first half in which the Sharks saw themselves ahead 47-42, they were able to pick up the pace against Saint Leo on Dec. 7 and win by a score of 92-77. Only five games into the season, Men’s Basketball has set the tone for how they want to play, with commanding victories over their first five opponents.
On an extremely efficient night in which Men’s Basketball saw themselves shooting nearly 70% from the field (a school record), the Sharks were able to rout Ave Maria by a score of 134-95 on Dec. 11. Seven players from the Sharks scored in double figures and NSU has now become the top ranked DII school in the country.
After taking their first loss of the season to Rollins on Dec. 14, Men’s Basketball came back strong and won two games straight against Cedarville on Dec. 19. They went into the break with a positive mindset after beating 23rd ranked Dominican 108-87 on Dec. 21. The Sharks have found success early on in the season, and will hope this success continues when they get back into the swing of things post-break.
Swimming
On Dec. 16, a small group of swimmers were chosen to represent NSU at the 2019 Spartan Invite in Tampa. Junior Emma Sundstedt managed to take first place in the women’s 1000 freestyle, posting a time of 10:01.95 while senior Vincent Lijoi took second for all men in the tournament in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 9:23.62. In addition to Lijoi, Caleb Fell fell to third place, posting a career-best 9:28.74.
Women’s Swim traveled to Miami on Dec. 17 to take on DI opponent FIU, but fell short 134-109. While the loss was not what they wanted coming into the competition, many individual competitors stood out. Sophomore Sasha Maslova posted the best individual 100 fly score with a time of 56.46 and junior Jenna Johns also had a solid tournament, taking first in the 50 free. While it was not the result the team wanted, they have been swimming very well this season and will continue to build on their success with performances like these.
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball narrowly defeated Saint Leo on Dec. 7 with a last second putback from redshirt senior Sarah Kelly that saw the Sharks take their first SSC victory of the year. NSU played smashmouth basketball in the third quarter, scoring 28 points propelled by a 15-0 run by the Sharks. They improved their record to 3-4 on the season and will look to continue their winning ways.
On Dec. 14, Women’s Basketball took on the Rollins Tars and their tough defense and were able to take a 66-59 victory. While it was a team effort, junior Hailey Conley had a career game, posting 24 points while hitting six three point shots, shooting 50% from the field. The Sharks shot an efficient 47%, bringing home a victory.
In the Shark Holiday Classic, Women’s Basketball did not disappoint, edging out a 70-68 victory over Ohio Dominican. The Sharks and Panthers certainly gave fans an entertaining game, ultimately going neck and neck and down to the wire. It was a nail biter in the fourth quarter, but with just three seconds left on the clock, sophomore Jennifer Rodriguez drove to the hoop and kicked it out to sophomore Makenna Drabick, who found the bottom of the net to seal the 70-68 victory at the buzzer. It was certainly the Sharks most exciting victory of the year and they have quietly had a run of wins in the month of December.
Photo: K. Pham
