THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Thomas did as Thomas does. They won. Sometimes it’s pretty, sometimes it’s not, but one thing is for sure, they fought to the finish. The Thomas University men’s soccer team pulled out what was potentially its most thrilling victory of the 2015 season.
This afternoon, the third-seeded Night Hawks went down 1-0 at the half, then 2-0 with just 32 minutes left in what potentially could be their season. However, the squad scratched and clawed its way back into the contest scoring three goals over a 10 minute stretch to take the 3-2 victory over the sixth-seed Lions of Florida Memorial in the Sun Conference tournament quarterfinals.
Head coach Ricky Zambrano reflected on his team’s come-from-behind victory, “The boys showed the heart and strength of a champion! They believed in their abilities and, more importantly, they believed in each other.”
The Lions took the early lead in the fifth minute when Rodrigo Da Costa worked his way through Thomas’ backline and fired a left-footed blast into the far right corner of the net. With the 1-0 advantage at the half, FMU netted what they thought would be an insurance goal just 13 minutes into the second half of the competition. Francisco Alderete handled a lobbed pass from Maximiliano Schendfeld and booted a one-timer into the left side of the frame.
Poised to not be eliminated on their home turf, the Night Hawks started the comeback trail. In the 66th minute, midfielder Jake Slocombe connected with senior Lyle Gifford who smashed a shot past the outreached hands of the Lions’ keeper. Down 2-1, the Night Hawks made a drive at the net and a Lion defender fouled Thomas in the box giving TU a chance for the equalizer. Gifford lined up the penalty shot and recorded his second goal of the game on the kick.
Afterwards, Thomas and Florida Memorial traded runs at the net, but it was the Night Hawks who capitalized. Senior Joey Lopez, who just seconds before had missed a bicycle kick goal that was blocked by a Lion defender just before reaching the goal line, got a second chance in the 77th minute to put the Night Hawks ahead for the first time in the match. Patrick Ramdial pushed a deflected ball back to Lopez. The Tampa, Fla., native sent the ball straight to the back of the net.
The goal put the Night Hawks in front for good leading to the 3-2 victory.
Thomas continues its run into the Sun Conference tournament as they travel to Lakeland, Fla., to face second-seeded St. Thomas in the TSC Semifinals. This year’s tournament is hosted by the top overall seed and regular season TSC champion Southeastern University. First touch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Scoring Summary
05:01 – (Florida Memorial) Rodrigo Da Costa (unassisted)
58:15 – (Florida Memorial) Francisco Alderete, assisted by Maximiliano Schendfeld
66:38 – (Thomas) Lyle Gifford, assisted by Jake Slocombe
70:03 – (Thomas) Lyle Gifford (penalty kick)
76:53 – (Thomas) Joey Lopez, assisted by Patrick Ramdial
By the Numbers
3 – Corner kicks taken by Thomas
3 – Saves made by Thomas keeper
Ben McFarlane-Barnes
4 – Day s until the TSC Semifinal vs. St. Thomas
7 – Shots taken by Florida Memorial
17 – Shots on goal by Thomas
24 – Number of combined shots by Florida Memorial and Thomas
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