FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) men’s soccer team secured a 2-0 victory over Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on Wednesday at NSU Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium.
With the win, PBA clinches the Sunshine State Conference regular season championship. This victory marks PBA men’s soccer’s fourth SSC regular season championship and its first under head coach Lucas Martorana. The Sailfish currently sit at No. 3 in the USC top 25 with a 12-1-1 overall record, including a 7-0-1 conference mark. PBA remains undefeated in Division II play this season.
Both goals came in the second half, with the Sailfish recording nine shots on goal. The defense held strong, allowing only four shots and keeping a clean sheet. Niklas Mahler struck first, deflecting a cross from Joshua Wicks into the back of the net to give PBA a 1-0 lead at the 60th-minute. After withstanding NSU pressure late in the game, the Sailfish put the game out of reach. A counter attack saw Matteo Colombo breaking away before finding Marko Borovic, who drew in the goalkeeper before passing wide to Ole Lichter, who buried the goal to make it a 2-0 win with 30 seconds left in the game.
The match began with PBA asserting early pressure as Marian Rutkowski tested the Sharks’ goalkeeper Santino Scerbo with a shot in the 18th minute. Despite several attempts, including shots by Mahler and Livio Von Holzen, Scerbo managed to keep the ‘Fish from finding the net.
Defensively, the Sailfish held strong with reigning SSC Defensive Player of the Week Flavio Giannini in goal, as NSU’s efforts failed to breach the defense. The first half concluded with a scoreless tie, as the Sailfish maintained consistent pressure through multiple corner kicks, yet could not capitalize to alter the scoreboard.
The second half began with the ‘Fish maintaining offensive pressure, resulting in multiple shots on goal. Mahler’s persistence paid off in the 59th minute when he scored to give the ‘Fish a 1-0 lead.
The defense held firm, with Giannini making a crucial save at the 69th-minute, keeping the Sharks from equalizing. In the closing moments, Lichter extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 89th minute. The Sailfish secured a 2-0 victory as the half concluded and the celebrations began.
Giannini recorded a shutout with one save in his 90 minutes of play. PBA outshot NSU 12-4, including 9-1 in shots on goal. The Sailfish posted five corners as a team compared to one for NSU.
As the champions, PBA has clinched the No. 1 seed in the SSC tournament. The Sailfish concluded the regular season at home against Rollins on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Rinker Athletic Campus.
