JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida's men's soccer team recorded a 1-0 victory over Florida Atlantic on Sunday afternoon at Hodges Stadium. UNF's Casey Caronis netted his first collegiate goal in the 75th minute, which proved to be the match-winner.
 
Defensively, the Ospreys posted the first shutout of the season. Brad Sienkiewicz and Kyle Nasta combined for the shutout. Sienkiewicz earned the start, but left the match in the 51st minute with an injury. The transfer notched five saves before being relieved by Nasta. The true freshman entered the match and worked the final four minutes. He notched five saves to preserve the shutout.
 
Offensively, Florida Atlantic tallied 18 shots compared to just 10 by North Florida. The Owls posted 10 shots on goal, while the Ospreys recorded six. FAU had the edge 7-to-2 on corner kicks. The Ospreys recorded 10 saves compared to five by the Owls.
 
The match was a defensive battle for both teams. In the first half, neither team was able to scratch the scoreboard with both teams' goalies posting shutouts. Sienkiewicz recorded five saves in the first 45 for the Ospreys to keep the Owls scoreless. FAU's Jeremy Crumpton made one save in the first half to keep the score 0-0 at intermission.
 
In the second half, both teams had opportunities, but the Ospreys were able to capitalize. In the 75th minute, Max McDanieltook a shot that was saved by Crumpton. The ball rebounded back to Caronis who drove a low ball from 15 yards to the back post out of reach of a diving keeper.
 
The goal was the first of the season for Caronis and the seventh of the year for the Ospreys. Six different North Florida players have scored goals on the season.
 
Caronis' goal proved to be the match-winner as Nasta was able to thwart any FAU comeback. The true freshman recorded five saves in his debut to help preserve the shutout.
 
Four Ospreys recorded shots in the match – Oscar Castillo, Jean Rivaroli, Mauricio Valderruten and Caronis. Castillo and Rivaroli each had two shots on goal while McDaniel added a shot on goal.
 
North Florida returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 8 as the Ospreys travel to Statesboro, Ga. to take on Georgia Southern in a nonconference match. The match between the Eagles and Ospreys is slated to kickoff at 4:00 p.m.