MACON, Ga. - There are several distinct advantages to starting young players in any sport; athletes who have started for three or even four years often improve quicker and contribute to the overall performance of the team significantly in the future.
 
The downside to fielding such a young team was on display Friday afternoon, however, as the Thomas University women's soccer team, which rosters nine freshmen and six sophomores, turned in an inconsistent performance in a 5-2 loss to Middle Georgia State.
 
"We're relying on young people to play well," head coach Julie Orlowski asserted in her post-match interview. "Sometimes young players are brilliant, and sometimes they're not."
 
Thomas started Friday afternoon's match by jumping out in front of the Lady Knights, a point of focus for Orlowski and company heading into the match, as Alleah Long converted a cross in the 14th minute to put the Lady Night Hawks up 1-0.
 
After conceding two goals in the 23 minutes that followed Long's strike, senior Mackenzie Dolan provided an equalizer that might well end up being the goal of the season for the Lady Night Hawks.
 
Dolan, a senior midfielder, took possession at midfield and carried the ball all the way into the MGSU box, showcasing her technical skill before providing a burst of speed to beat several defenders, ripping a shot off of the left post and into the back of the net.
 
"Mackenzie took it upon herself to be a leader," Orlowski said of the goal. "She dribbled around several defenders and went and scored a great goal."
 
Despite falling for the first time in three matches, Orlowski hopes that the match will turn into improvement for her team.
 
"We want to learn from every experience we have, good and bad," the third year coach continued. "If we never have this kind of effort again, this game was worth it."
 
The Lady Night Hawks will have a week off before heading north to Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 11 for a matchup with the Lady Koalas, a 10-win team from the Appalachian Athletic conference a season ago.
 
"I appreciate the fans that came up here to cheer us on," Orlowski concluded.
 
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.