COLUMBUS, Ga. – While scoring was the actual difference in tonight's 2-0 victory in favor of the No. 17 Night Hawks, it was timely defensive stops and focused goal play by keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes that led the Night Hawks to their fourth shutout of the 2015 season.  Thomas defeated (RV) Georgia Gwinnett in their final non-conference competition of the regular season in a neutral battle at the Walden Soccer Complex at Columbus State University.
 
"The key to today was that we had a complete job with our defensive effort," head coach Ricky Zambrano said of his team's performance. "We asked the guys for a stronger and bigger overall commitment and they came through."
 
Thomas jumped on the board in the 15th minute when junior Juan Figueroa dribbled through two Grizzly defenders and slipped a right-footed blast into the left corner of the net.
 
With the 1-0 lead at the half, the Night Hawks would net an insurance goal in the 51st minute.  Senior Patrick Ramdial received a long ball from the backline and fire a shot at the keeper that was deflected to Skylar Rogers.  The junior Tallahassee, Fla., native would blast a one-timer that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net giving Thomas the 2-0 advantage.
 
Down the stretch, defenders Donal Branagan and Billy Jeffery stepped in to eliminate last second efforts by the Grizzly offense to seal the shutout.

With the victory, the Night Hawks improve to 13-3, 6-2 TSC, on the year while Georgia Gwinnett slips to 7-4-3.
 
Zambrano continued, "SCAD-Savannah is one of our biggest rivals in the league, and this upcoming match will not be an easy one for us.  Even in a down year for a program of their caliber, we have to keep our guard high, maintain focus, and finish the task at hand.  Bottom line is that we are approaching this match as a must win."
 
The Night Hawks will close out the regular season when they host SCAD-Savannah at Remington Park on Wed., Oct. 28.  First touch is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary
15:40 – (Thomas) Juan Figueroa (unassisted)
51:35 – (Thomas) Skylar Rogers, assisted by Patrick Ramdial
 
By the Numbers
5 – Saves made by Thomas keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes
5 – Days until Thomas faces SCAD-Savannah
5 – Corner kicks taken by Thomas
9 – Shots on goal by Thomas
14 – Shots taken by Thomas
26 – Number of combined shots by Georgia Gwinnett and Thomas
 
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