WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 10, 2025) - Men's soccer fell behind early, clawed back in to the game, and eventually took home an overtime win against Nova Southeastern on Monday. The win moves the Tars to 9-3-5 on the year, and advances them to the SSC semifinals. The Sharks wrap up their season with a record of 8-4-3.
Things could not have gotten off to a worse start for the Tars as Nova Southeastern recorded a goal in the third minute of play. Noah Holtschoppen played the ball down the left side and entered a magnificent cross into the Rollins box, where Santiago Hoyos Lopez smashed it home with a header.
The Tars were unrelenting in their effort to tie the game back up, playing with a persistent fervor on offense. They recorded ten shots in the first half, including five on goal. The final attempt of the half, in the 44th minute, was a stellar strike from
Pablo Herrero off a free kick. Defying the laws of physics, he was able to avoid the Shark wall, squeeze the ball between the Sharks' keeper and the crossbar, and bounce it in to make it a 1-1 game at half.
With the game tied, both teams switched their focus to defense, knowing that overtime was on the way. Still, the keepers were put to work, including
Kilian Vallant, who had to stop three shots in the second half. He made a highlight reel dive on a short shot from Nova late in the half, preserving the tie.
Just five minutes in to the first overtime period, the Tars executed a perfect attack. Jayden Splunge sent the ball down field to a sprinting
Finlay Prain. After collecting and drawing the defense, the sophomore put a cross into the box.
Zico Groenveld was able to beat the keeper to the ball by a split second, and had an easy tap in for the game-winner.
Rollins outshot Nova Southeastern 16-10 with eight shots on target compared to four. They also dominated corners 9-4.
The Tars advance to the SSC semifinals, and will face #1 seed Palm Beach Atlantic on Thursday in West Palm Beach. The Sailfish needed two overtimes to defeat #8 Florida Southern on Monday. In the previous matchup between Rollins and Palm Beach Atlantic less than two weeks ago, the Tars held a lead until the final 90 seconds, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.
