THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Lady Night Hawks faced one of their most challenging and physically-charged battles of the season this afternoon and overcame some early adversity to defeat Southeastern 4-2.
 
"Today's win shows how much we have learned in September," said head coach Julie Orlowski of her team's growth.  "It shows how much we have matured as a team.  We still need to work on our consistency and putting teams away in the first half.  In the past, a soft goal off a mistake would cause a setback, but today, we responded very well instead."
 
Senior Adrianna Johnson scored the opening goal in the 12th minute on a cross from Mackenzie Dolan.  Just 10 minutes later, Dolan would put the Lady Night Hawks up 2-0 when she converted a penalty kick.  Previously, a Fire defender pulled Dolan down from behind as she was breaking away for a one-on-one shot against the SEU keeper just inside the box.
 
Southeastern cut Thomas' lead in half in the 37th minute when Bre Eldridge received a cross from the right side of the box from Shayna Cole and punched it into the back of the net.  While the Lady Night Hawks took the 2-1 lead into the intermission, SEU would equalize the match just two minutes into the second half of play.  Cole broke away from two Thomas defenders and sent a right-footed touch into the net.
 
Thomas would regain its confidence winning three corners in a row midway through the second half.  After several efforts, Thomas would capitalize on their chances in the 74th minute when a corner from Johnson bounced off a SEU defender to freshman Ciera McGriff-Duncan where she touched the ball to Katy Hanscomb who connected for her first collegiate goal.
 
In the 85th minute, Dolan would score her ninth goal of the season to cement the 4-2 victory for Thomas.
 
Orlowski continued, "In the past, a disruptive team would cause us to lose focus, but today, we absorbed the physicality and put the ball in the net."
 
With the win, Thomas improves to 7-8, 4-4 TSC, on the year while the Fire drops to 8-5, 3-4 TSC.

The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24, when they host Sun Conference rival USC-Beaufort.  Thomas will hold Senior Day festivities where they will honor Alyssa Denton, Mackenzie Dolan, Sara-Ann Hartley, and Adrianna Johnson.  First touch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary
12:08 – (Thomas) Adrianna Johnson, assisted by Alleah Long
23:04 – (Thomas) Mackenzie Dolan (penalty kick)
37:12 – (Southeastern) Mackenzie Dolan, assisted by Bre Eldridge
47:29 – (Southeastern) Shayla Cole (unassisted)
74:06 – (Thomas) Katy Hanscomb, assisted by Mackenzie Dolan
85:15 – (Thomas) Mackenzie Dolan, assisted by Adrianna Johnson
 
By the Numbers
0 – Corner kicks taken by Southeastern
5 – Saves made by Thomas keeper Sara-Ann Hartley
6 – Days until Thomas faces USC-Beaufort
8 – Corner kicks taken by Thomas
9 – Shots on goal by Thomas
16 – Shots taken by Thomas
25 – Number of combined shots by Southeastern 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 women's soccer team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksWSocc.