THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Having successfully navigated close matches all season long, the Thomas University men's soccer team, which has posted a 7-2 record in one-goal contests, will travel to North Miami, Fla., to face the much-improved Johnson & Wales Wildcats on Oct. 9 in a key conference clash.
 
The Night Hawks defeated Warner 2-1 on Oct. 3 in a one-match hiatus from a long stretch of road games, but Ricky Zambrano's side will again head to South Florida to conclude the road portion of the team's conference schedule on Friday.
 
The TU men continue to receive contributions from all throughout the team, as 12 different players have scored in 11 matches.  Additionally, nine different players have assisted goals, a stat that makes the Night Hawks one of the most balanced teams in the country.  That balance has contributed significantly to Thomas' success in close matches, and it will need to continue on Friday against Johnson & Wales if the Night Hawks are to move to 4-1 in conference play.
 
Johnson & Wales has been one of the better sides in the league so far this season, as Phil Zayas' team has already posted three conference wins in four matches after posting just two in all of 2014.
The Wildcats have won three consecutive TSC games on the road, an impressive stretch that has propelled the side into a tie with TU and Keiser for second in the league.  Starting with the Night Hawks, three of the Wildcats' final five TSC games will come at home.
 
Despite the fact that Johnson & Wales' strength was projected to be its defense entering the season, the team's offense has been much improved.  After getting shutout on six separate occasions in 2014, the Wildcats have been blanked just once in 10 matches so far this season.
 
Defensively, the Wildcats have allowed one goal or less in 60-percent of matches.
 
Johnson & Wales has an advantage in the experience department over other conference opponents, as eight of the team's 18 rostered players are seniors.  Six of the eight seniors are either defensemen or midfielders.
 
The Night Hawks have been in solid, goal-scoring form over the past two matches, and Gifford, Abt and company will look to again exploit an opposing defense, this time with hopes of ending the Wildcats' winning streak.
 
Should Thomas University win its final two conference road matches, a stretch of three consecutive TSC games to close the season would position the Night Hawks nicely to earn the top seed when postseason play rolls around.
 
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.