LAKELAND, Fla. – The two-time defending Sun Conference tournament champions run at a three-peat ended this evening as the St. Thomas Bobcats defeated Thomas 1-0 in the semifinals of the men's TSC tournament.
 
The opening half favored the Night Hawks offensively as they fired off eight shots, with three landing on goal.  The Thomas defense held the Bobcats to just three shots in the first half with all of them soaring wide.
 
Knotted at the intermission, the tide turned in favor of the Bobcats who started off the half with three consecutive shots on frame.  In the 56th minute, the Bobcats would take advantage of a loose ball in the box and fired a shot from five yards out.  STU's junior midfielder Nico Sobanski received a touch from Victor Cortez and tapped a one-timer into the lower right edge of the net.
 
The goal proved to be the game winner for the Bobcats who now await the winner of the top-ranked Southeastern and Keiser match in the TSC tournament championship game scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8.
 
"The game of soccer has its way of rewarding and punishing teams," stated head coach Ricky Zambrano.  "Today, we were not rewarded for our play on the field.  I am proud of our determination throughout the game."

Thomas (14-5, 6-3 TSC) now awaits the NAIA selection show for the opportunity to participate in the 2015 NAIA Men's Soccer National Tournament.  The Night Hawks' postseason fate rests on an at-large bid.
 
Scoring Summary
56:21 – (St. Thomas) Nico Sobanski, assisted by Victor Cortez

By the Numbers
1 – Corner kick taken by St. Thomas
2 – Saves made by Thomas keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes
7 – Shots on goal by Thomas
11 – Shots taken by St. Thomas
13 – Corner kicks taken by Thomas
14 – Total Wins in Thomas' 2015 season
26 – Number of combined shots by St. Thomas 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.