THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University women's soccer team will look to build on an impressive opening weekend of conference play on Oct. 1 when the team travels to Babson Park, Fla., to take on Webber International.
 
The Lady Night Hawks started Sun Conference play off on the right foot in South Florida over the weekend, as the team performed well in both matches, including the 3-1 win over Florida Memorial that saw senior midfielder Mackenzie Dolan net her fifth and sixth goals of the season.
 
Julie Orlowski's side was defeated in the weekend finale by No. 23 St. Thomas, but the Lady Night Hawks fell by a single goal and went toe-to-toe with one of the strongest sides in the conference.
 
The team's focus now shifts to Thursday's match versus Webber, a team with a suspect defense that has allowed a whopping four goals per game to opponents so far this season.  The Lady Warriors have yet to play at home this season, however, so Thursday's home match with Thomas should provide the hosts with additional motivation.
 
Webber's 2014 Honorable Mention All-Conference forward Cierra Abundez finished last season in great form, and her stellar play has carried over into her senior season.  Abundez has already scored five goals in just three matches so far in 2015, including a hat trick in the Lady Warriors' 5-3 victory over Johnson & Wales. 
 
Despite the small sample size, Abundez has established herself as one of the top scoring threats in the Sun Conference and shutting her down will be a big key to victory for the Lady Night Hawks on Thursday.  Abundez ranks fifth in the nation in goals per game (1.67) and 15th in shots per game (5.33).
 
The difference in Thursday's match could come down to goalkeeping and if it does, the Lady Night Hawks will be in good hands.  Senior keeper Sara-Ann Hartley recorded nine more saves in the Sept. 27 match versus St. Thomas, bringing her season total to 71 in nine games.  With an average of nearly eight saves per game, Hartley has established herself as the top goalie in the conference.
 
Thursday's match presents the Lady Night Hawks with the opportunity to not only move to 2-1 in conference play, but also to score several goals.  Dolan, Olivia Taylor and company should see several opportunities to find the back against a Webber defense that has had trouble slowing teams down so far this season.
 
The match is one of three remaining road games for the Lady Night Hawks before a four-game home stand to close the regular season.  First touch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
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For up-to-date information on this matchup 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.