THOMASVILLE, Ga. – In what was one of their most physical games so far in the 2015 campaign, the Thomas University men's soccer team surged out to an early lead and held on to defeat visiting Middle Georgia State 2-1.
 
The Night Hawks, who scored their first first half goal of the season, netted the opening goal in the 17th minute.  Senior midfielder Lyle Gifford picked up his first of two assists on the day when he charged down the left side of the pitch and crossed the ball from 15 yards out to junior Juan Figueroa.  The Bogota, Colombia, native side-stepped a Knights defender and fired a shot into the net grabbing his fourth career goal and first for the season (video).
 
With just under two minutes remaining in the first half of play, the Night Hawks increased their lead to 2-0 when Gifford crossed a floater in front of the Middle Georgia net where junior Andres Payne poked a right-footed shot into the back of the net.  The tip-in was Payne's first career goal (video).
 
The Night Hawks headed into the intermission with the 2-0 lead. 
 
In the second half, Middle Georgia did not back down and pushed hard on the offensive end of the field firing off 11 of its 16 shots on the day.  The Knights finally connected in the 51st minute when Raul Mendes hit a bouncer to Thomas' keeper Ben McFarlane-Barnes that he originally saved and then bobbled into the goal (video).
 
Thomas' defense held tough down the stretch allowing the Night Hawks to escape with the win.  The 11th–ranked Night Hawks improve to 3-0 on the year while Middle Georgia drops to 2-2.

"All the credit goes to Middle Georgia," stated head coach Ricky Zambrano.  "Our guys could not match their desire.  Today, we stole a victory.  It will be important that we progress and learn from today."
 
The Night Hawks are back in action on Labor Day, Mon., September 7, as they host William Carey University at the TU Soccer Complex.  First touch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
 
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.