BOCA RATON, Fla. – Unbeaten in their last four matches, the North Florida men's soccer team will travel south to take on FAU (1-11-2) in the last non-conference game of the season on Wednesday.
Os-toberfest: In the month of October, the Ospreys have morphed into a different team on the field and in the standings. Through four games in October North Florida has surrendered only one goal and currently sport a 3-0-1 record. After a challenging non-conference schedule to open the year that included four teams that appeared in the top 25, the Ospreys are playing well at the right time for the second year in a row.
Weekly Awards: For the second-straight week, a North Florida men's soccer player was recognized by the Atlantic Sun. Goalkeeper
Kyle Nasta was
named the league's Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career. The senior has been the last line of defense on an Osprey team that boasts a 0.24 goals against average in the last four games. Last week
Milan Kovacs claimed the A-Sun Player of the Week after scoring the game-winner against Stetson on Oct. 17.
Stingy D: The Ospreys will look to extend a streak of 263 minutes in which North Florida opponents have been held scoreless. The only goal scored on the Ospreys since Sept. 27 was a penalty kick goal by Albert Ruiz of FGCU on Oct. 10.
Winning Ways: The past two seasons the Ospreys have finished with eight wins and they have an opportunity to match that win total Wednesday night. A win will also clinch a .500 record for the third-straight season under Head Coach
Derek Marinatos.
Last Meeting: The last time the two schools met, the Ospreys showcased one of the best offensive displays in school history. In last year's season opener,
Drew Spragg scored twice en route to a 5-2 victory. The Ospreys tallied 14 points and scored five times for only the fourth time ever. Spragg finished the game with five points (2 g, 1 a), one of five players in school history to record five or more points in a game.
About FAU: The Owls lost their first 10 games of the season before finally getting in the win column on Oct. 19 against Marshall. Six of the 11 losses this season have been by one goal and the Owls have needed overtime in five games. Three players lead the way on offense for the Owls, Elijah McDonald, Ramon Whittaker and Thomas Gallits who each have two goals. Opponents have outscored FAU, 28-8 in 2015.
