LAKELAND, Fla. - Leo Thompson recorded his first career hat trick Wednesday evening in Thomas' 3-1 win at Southeastern (Fla.) in Sun Conference (TSC) play at SEU Soccer Field. The Night Hawks improve to 3-0-1 in their last four conference matches.

"Today's win was very important for our squad," Green and White coach Ricky Zambrano said. "We came away with points on this road trip which is never easy to do in conference play."

Despite outshooting the Fire 7-1 in the first half and 22-11 overall, Thomas (6-7-2, 4-2-2 TSC) did not get on the board until the 75th minute when Gavin Rochford-Smith played a pass to Sam Eyes who laid the ball off to Thompson. Thompson beat Southeastern (6-6-1, 4-3-1 TSC) netminder Jorge Navarrete for a second time in the 80th minute following a long pass from Jack Chambers. The third goal for Thompson (12) came in the 87th minute off a Kelly Botha pass following a Chambers corner kick.

Gustavo Rodrigues (4) got the Fire on the board in the 88th minute on a penalty kick for the final margin.

Thompson ended with four shots on goal, and five Night Hawks had one each.

Rodrigues had two shots on goal in the loss.

Goalkeeper Lee Howarth (4-3-1) made two saves in 90 minutes for the victory.

Navarrete (5-5-1) recorded six saves in 90 minutes in defeat.

Thomas held a 9-3 edge in both shots on goal and corner kicks.

The Night Hawks finish regular-season league play Saturday at TU Soccer Complex against Florida Memorial at 1 p.m. ET.