NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – The Thomas University men's soccer team captured an emotional win this past Saturday in their come-from-behind overtime victory over Warner University as they learned that head coach Ricky Zambrano's mother had passed away.  The heavy-hearted emotions continued this week as the team traveled separately from Zamrbano to North Miami as their coach laid his mother, Lilia, to rest.
 
With Coach Zambrano in their heart and victory on the mind this afternoon, the Night Hawks overcame an early goal by Johnson & Wales to defeat the Wildcats 3-1.  Assistant coach Nathan Would led the Night Hawks into today's game while Zambrano stayed in Tampa to be with family.
 
The Wildcats scored the opening goal of the match in the fifth minute when Pedro Codo broke free and netted a one-on-one shot just past keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes' dive.  The score would remain in JWU's favor for the rest of the half as Thomas struggled to put the ball in the net.  Thomas had seven first half shot attempts where six of them either went wide left or right off goal.
 
The Night Hawks regrouped at the half and came out as a refocused and energized squad.  In the 60th minute, Thomas would tie the match when Jesper Svall ripped a left-footed blast through the box into the back of the net.
 
Ten minutes later, the Night Hawks would capitalize on a hard foul by JWU that resulted in a yellow card and penalty kick attempt for Thomas.  Senior Lyle Gifford lined up the shot and sent it straight ahead past the JWU keeper.  Thomas, now with the 2-1 lead, continued to pressure on offense in the closing minutes of the match.  Just before they reached the 82nd minute of regulation, Johnson & Wales committed another costly foul that put Gifford back on the line for another penalty kick attempt.
 
Gifford would capitalize netting the attempt, giving the Night Hawks an insurance goal and the eventual 3-1 victory.
 
Would reflected, "We really made the game hard for ourselves going into halftime, but we came out with a better attitude in the second half and got the job done in the necessary fashion.  Today was a big day for the TU Soccer family, so it's pleasing to get the win for the Zambrano's, Garcia's, and all those connected to Lilia.  This victory is not just for each other but a dedication to her life and our coach."

With the win, Thomas improves to 10-2, 4-1 TSC, on the year while the Wildcats drop to 4-5-2, 3-2 TSC.

The Night Hawks return to action on Sunday, Oct. 11, when they travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., to face Sun Conference rival Keiser University.  First touch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary
5:50 – (JWU) Pedro Codo (unassisted)
60:59 – (Thomas) Jesper Svall (unassisted)
69:14 – (Thomas) Lyle Gifford (penalty kick)
81:52 – (Thomas) Lyle Gifford (penalty kick)
 
By the Numbers
2 – Days until Thomas faces Keiser
3 – Corner kicks taken by Thomas
3 – Saves made by Thomas keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes
5 – Shots on goal by Thomas
16 – Shots taken by Thomas
25 – Number of combined shots by Johnson & Wales 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.