MELBOURNE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern needed 78:02 to do so, but finally broke through late in the second half en route to beating Florida Tech on the road 1-0 Saturday night to extend its win streak to a new program-record nine games. Emma Heikkila scored for the seventh time in as many matches, keeping the Sharks tied atop the Sunshine State Conference standings.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 1, Florida Tech 0
Records: Nova Southeastern (9-0, 3-0 SSC), Florida Tech (2-6-1, 0-3 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• NSU recorded the first five shots of the match, yet was unable to convert midway through the opening half.
• Florida Tech notched its first attempt of the game in the 30^th minute, but was twice turned away by NSU starting keeper Shannon Hearty in a span of 1:39.
• Appearing in her first game since Sept. 15, Adanna Edwards gave the Sharks one final scoring chance before the break. However, the junior's shot sailed wide right as both teams headed into halftime knotted at 0-0.
• NSU picked up the pressure at the beginning of the second half, racking up five shots on goal just 13:53 after intermission. Florida Tech keeper Maria Recuero answered the call every time, though, keeping the match scoreless.
• Recuero had no answer for Heikkila, though, in the 79^th minute, when the NSU midfielder headed a Chama Silva corner kick into the back of the net to hand the Sharks the 1-0 lead.
• The Panthers made one last push in the 87^th minute, but Natalie Robayna would make the save to secure the SSC victory.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Heikkila's current seven-game goal streak is the first by a Sharks player since Shurell Burton accomplished the feat back in 2006.
• NSU has now started 3-0 in SSC play three times in head coach John Constable's five seasons.
• Heikkila's 68 career points now rank fourth all-time in program history, while her 27 career goals are good for fifth.
• Following Saturday's win, the Sharks have now run their scoreless streak to 456:07.
   

STATS OF THE NIGHT:

• NSU allowed just six shots in its eighth shutout of the season on Saturday, already its most in a single season since 2016.
• Continuing to split time in net, Hearty collected a pair of saves in the effort to go along with the three tallied by Robayna.
• NSU held a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks.

UP NEXT:
SSC play will carry on, as NSU sets to host Palm Beach Atlantic next Wednesday at 7 p.m. For online coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_WSoccer.