TU Hosts Georgia Gwinnett in NAIA Opening Round

Men's Soccer | 11/14/2016 3:46:00 PM

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The 15th-ranked Thomas University men's soccer team received an at-large bid into the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round on Monday and host 24th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College at noon on Saturday at the TU Soccer Complex.

Georgia Gwinnett topped the Night Hawks, 1-0, on Oct. 18 at a neutral site in Columbus Ga. earlier this year.

GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: Georgia Gwinnett
Location: Thomasville, Ga.
Place: TU Soccer Complex
Date: Nov. 19
Time: Noon
Video: Stretch Internet
Stats: Stretch Internet

THE NIGHT HAWKS (14-3-2)

Thomas University collected it's first Sun Conference regular season championship in program history with a 1-0 win over SCAD Savannah on Nov. 1. The Night Hawks fell to Keiser University (Fla.) in penalty kicks, 5-4, in the semi-finals of TSC Tournament at home on Nov. 8.

TU placed four players on the first team all-conference list in goalie Lee Howarth, defender Antonio Rodriguez, midfielder Severin Abt and the conference player of the year, forward Jarrod Ingram. Defender Donal Branagan and midfielder Richie Slaney were named to the second team all-conference, while Juan Figueroa received honorable mention honors.

Ingram leads the Night Hawks with 19 goals this season and leads the nation in game winning goals (9) and game winning goals per game (0.5). Abt fronts TU with nine assists this year, while Howarth averages 3.74 saves a game.

The Night Hawks have now made the NAIA National Tournament for the third time in four years.

THE GRIZZLIES (13-3-3)

Georgia Gwinnett received the top seed in the Association of Independent Institutions Tournament that was played in Denver. The Grizzlies knocked off Fisher (Mass.), 4-0, in the semi-finals and took down Johnson & Wales (Co.), 2-0, to claim the A.I.I. Championship. The Grizzlies picked up their third A.I.I. Championship in four season.

GGC placed six players on the A.I.I. all-conference teams in midfielder Jack Gurr, defender Ellis Husband, forward Samuel Sampaio Gomes, defender Andrew White and the conference goalkeeper and player of the year, Lewis Sharpe to the first team all-conference. Jumar Oakley was also named to the second team all-conference.

Gomes leads the team with nine goals on the season, while Gurr powers the Grizzlies with nine assists. Sharpe averages 3.37 saves a game as the team holds sixth in the country with 12 total shutouts on the season.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Severin Abt: MF; 6' 1"; Senior

#5 Donal Branagan: D; 6' 1"; Senior

#19 Juan Figueroa: MF; 5' 8"; Senior

#3 Antonio Rodriguez: D; 5' 9"; Senior

#0 Lee Howarth: GK; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#6 Richard Slaney: D; 5' 10"; Junior

#11 Jarrod Ingram: F; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Severin Abt
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MF

#5 Donal Branagan
: 6' 1"; Senior
: D

#19 Juan Figueroa
: 5' 8"; Senior
: MF

#3 Antonio Rodriguez
: 5' 9"; Senior
: D

#0 Lee Howarth
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: GK

#6 Richard Slaney
: 5' 10"; Junior
: D

#11 Jarrod Ingram
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F