FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Paco Craig's goal with 77 seconds remaining in regulation gave the Young Harris College men's soccer team a 2-1 decision over Nova Southeastern University in the season opener for both teams Friday (Sept. 6) evening at the NSU Soccer Complex.

Young Harris improved to 1-0-0 and will conclude its South Florida swing Sunday (Sept. 8) with a 1 p.m. contest against Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. The Sharks fell to 0-1-0.

With the match tied at 1 and appeared to be heading to extra time, Craig converted an Alex Wyper corner kick in to the right bottom corner of the goal past NSU goalkeeper Andrea Giombetti for the match winner. Young Harris held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks over the Sharks.

"We made it very hard for ourselves," said head coach Mark McKeever. "At times we played quality soccer and cut through their back four.  We missed some golden opportunities to put the game to bed in the second half.  Two great goals by (Ilija) Ilic and (Paco) Craig and two quality deliveries by (Khurram) Shazad and (Alex) Wyper were enough to get us the win.  (Niall) McCabe, Ilic and Craig were outstanding with strong performances from (Lewis) Hilton and Wyper."

Young Harris had taken a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute as Khurram Shazad sent a through ball to Ilija Ilic right in front of the net and Ilic was able to knock it in for the goal. The Sharks leveled the match in the 79th minute as Andrea Sputarelli's strike hit off the post and ricocheted into the goal.

Young Harris held a 14-7 advantage in shots and each team recorded three saves. Pedro Ozi had two saves in net for the Mountain Lions while Jordan Bradshaw had one.