FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Bolstered by impressive offensive play, the No. 21 Nova Southeastern women’s soccer team (3-0) will attempt to continue its winning streak Wednesday, against Johnson & Wales (0-1) at the NSU Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.   

The Sharks have 10 goals in its first three games, an average of 3.33 goals a game, 15th best in the country. Sunshine State Conference Offensive Player of the Week Malin Broberg (So., Stockholm, Sweden) has played a pivotal role in the goal productivity totaling a team high nine points at three points-per-game, 15th-best individual points-per-game average in the country through Sept. 11.

Shark fans can anticipate goalkeeper Darcilyn Butala (0-1) to be responsible for stopping the Sharks attack for Johnson & Wales. During the Wildcats’ last completed game Butala allowed three goals, made five saves, and played 70:10 in a 3-0 loss to Palm Beach Atlantic (3-3). The game was called early during the 73rd minute due to lightning.

Inclement weather also cancelled the Wildcat’s following match against Ave Maria. At the time of cancellation the game was tied 0-0, but due to the game being called before the 70th minute the game is not official.

During the Palm Beach Atlantic loss the Wildcats were unable to find the net and only attempted two shots in just over 70-mintues of play. Sharks starting goalkeeper, Chrissy Hy (Sr., Weston, Fla.) (3-0) and the rest the defenders should not take the Wildcats lightly though, they averaged close to a goal a game in 2010 and may be due for some goals in 2011. 

If Hy plays well she can add to her current season statistics of five goals allowed and 13 saves, a saves percentage of .722. Hy’s performance in goal has allowed the Sharks to double the goals scored by opponents.

Hy’s play in goal has also allowed Sharks defenders to be more offensive minded totaling eight points. Andi Burchfield (Fr., Greenville, S.C.) leads all defenders in points with five, including her first career goal and three assists. Burchfield’s assist total ties Broberg for the team high and ranks them both 8th in the nation in assists-per-game.    

Johnson & Wales, a member of the Sun Conference has never competed against Nova, a former member of the conference from 1995-2001 when it was named the Florida Sun Conference. The teams have never met partly because the Wildcats had its inaugural season in 2009 and Nova made the transition from the conference and the NAIA to NCAA Division II for the 2002 season.

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