WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Thomas University men's soccer team picked up its eighth one-goal victory of the year overcoming an early 2-1 deficit to defeat Keiser this afternoon 3-2.  With the victory, the Night Hawks now sit alone on top of the Sun Conference with a 5-1 record.
 
The Night Hawks started out strong in the opening half of play.  Senior captain Eric Persson put Thomas on the board first in the 12th minute when he received a touch from Lyle Gifford, split two Seahawk defenders and blasted a shot to the back of the net. 
 
Just minutes later, Keiser would land an equalizer when Thomas Dawson connected with Liam Gourlay for a one-timer.  Keiser would take the 2-1 lead just before halftime when Tommy Tigwell's blast ripped just past TU keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes' outstretched arms.
 
In the second half, Thomas would receive a little help from the Seahawks when they netted an own goal in the 51st minute to knot the game a 2-2.
 
Both sides continued pushing offensive sets back and forth, but the Night Hawks would come out on top capitalizing on a misplayed ball by Keiser leading to the go-ahead, game winner by Severin Abt.  In the 74th minute, McFarlane-Barnes launched a free kick just past midfield where two Seahawk defenders collided making a play for the ball.  Abt gathered the misplayed ball and took off on a breakaway down the field, beating the Keiser keeper for the one-on-one goal.
 
In the closing minutes of the match, McFarlane-Barnes faced one final test from the Seahawks on a direct kick from just outside the box.  He came up clutch deflecting the shot sealing the TU victory in the final 10 seconds of the match.

Assistant coach Nathan Would reflected, "Today was a great win! We found ourselves down 2-1 going into the second half, but we addressed a couple of things and knew we were in good position to win the game.  Keiser has been a tough opponent for us over the last few years and difficult to beat which makes today's win all the more satisfying.  Great weekend from the boys!"

With the win, Thomas improves to 11-2, 5-1 TSC, on the year while the Seahawks drop to 5-7-1, 4-2 TSC.

The Night Hawks return to action on Thursday, Oct. 15, when they are back home at the TU Soccer Complex to face Sun Conference rival Ave Maria University.  First touch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary
12:41 – (Thomas) Eric Persson, assisted by Lyle Gifford
15:45 – (Keiser) Liam Gourlay, assisted by Thomas Dawson
34:33 – (Keiser) Tommy Tigwell, assisted by Shoval Failer
51:06 – (Thomas) Own Goal by Keiser
74:50 – (Thomas) Severin Abt, assisted by Ben McFarlane-Barnes

By the Numbers
1 – Saves made by Thomas keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes
4 – Days until Thomas faces Ave Maria
5 – Corner kicks taken by Keiser
7 – Shots on goal by Thomas
8 – Total Cards distributed (7 Yellow, 1 Red)
11 – Shots taken by Thomas
20 – Number of combined shots by Keiser and Thomas
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by play, and feature stories of your TU men's soccer team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMSocc.