MIRMAR, Fla. – After a two hour weather and lightning delay, the Thomas University women's soccer overcame soggy conditions to defeat the Lady Lions of Florida Memorial 3-1 in what was the Sun Conference opener for both teams.
 
The Lady Night Hawks jumped on the board early taking the 1-0 lead in the eighth minute of play.  Sophomore Olivia Taylor won a ball in the midfield and charged down the field where she pushed the ball to senior Mackenzie Dolan.  Lacing two defenders, Dolan outran the FMU's defense and blasted a shot just past the outstretched hands of the FMU keeper.
 
Thomas would pick up its second goal of the match in the 27th minute when forward Linnea Roivas smashed a shot of a rebound into the back of the net.  Just seconds earlier, freshman Estelle Rault lifted a shot from 35 yards out on a free kick that ricocheted off the crossbar to Roivas.
 
The Hunter Green and White entered the break with the 2-0 lead.
 
Just eight minutes into the second half, Dolan picked up her second goal of the game, sixth of the season, when Kaleigh Premo fed Dolan from 25 yards out.  Dolan took a prep touch and then gave the Lady Night Hawks an insurance goal, and 3-0 lead, with her blast to the back right corner of the net.
 
Florida Memorial fought back in the latter minutes of the contest to bring the game to 3-1 with a goal by Petrice Brooks, but the Lady Lions fell short in the Lady Night Hawks' 3-1 victory.
 
With the win, Thomas improves to 4-4, 1-0 TSC, on the year while the Lady Lions drop to 1-5, 0-1 TSC.
 
"[Today] wasn't pretty but a win is a win," stated head coach Julie Orlowski.  "FMU is much improved, and this is always a tough place to play.  Our players responded well to the weather delay. Mackenzie continues to take advantage of her opportunities, and the defense is really starting to gel.  Now, it is all about recovering from a very physical game in time for a quality opponent in STU on Sunday."

The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Sunday, Sept. 27, when they travel to Miami Gardens, Fla., to face Sun Conference rival and 23rd-ranked St. Thomas.  First touch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary
8:23 – (Thomas) Mackenzie Dolan, assisted by Olivia Taylor
27:22 – (Thomas) Linnea Roivas, assisted by Estelle Rault
57:58 – (Thomas) Mackenzie Dolan, assisted by Kaleigh Premo
63:48 – (FMU) Petrice Brooks, assisted by Ayat El Zein
 
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 women's soccer team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksWSocc.