HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Thomas scored three second-half goals en route to a 3-1 win Wednesday evening over SCAD Savannah (Ga.), which is receiving votes in the latest NAIA top 25, at SCAD Athletics Complex in The Sun Conference (TSC) action. The Night Hawks won in the series for a fourth-straight time, with three of the those triumphs coming against a Bees' squad either ranked or receiving votes, and ended their opposition's two-match win streak.
Thomas (4-3-1, 1-1 TSC) outshot SCAD Savannah (7-3-1, 2-1 TSC) 12-4 in the final 90 minutes and improved to 7-0-1 in its last eight matches when allowing one goal or less. The Night Hawks are 8-4-1 in their last 13 matches outside Thomasville.
"It was a tremendous battle from both sides today," Thomas coach
Julie Orlowski said. "It's always big when you can get points (for a win) on the road.
"Our depth gave us such an advantage. We had a starter who couldn't go, and I was able to replace her with another starter, and we didn't miss a beat."
Orlowski is five wins shy of 50 during her time on the Magnolia Campus and three away from 175 for her career.
Olivia Taylor (6) opened the scoring in the 54th minute with an assist from
Anna Gray. Taylor, who has scored two goals in her last two games against the Bees, has registered at least one point in five of the last six matches.
Ciera McGriff-Duncan (2) increased the margin to two goals in the 67th minute when she beat SCAD Savannah goalkeeper Lauren Kittle.
After Sam Manelis (3) cut her team's deficit in half in the 72nd minute following a Nikki Abel pass,
Whitley Anderson (6) pushed the Green and White's edge back to two goals in the 78th minute.
Taylor ended with two shots on goal.Â
Mikaela Heyboer recorded two shots on goal in defeat.
Kara Houston (4-3-1) stopped six shots in net in 90 minutes for the victory.
"
Taylor Hults changed the game today," Orlowski said. "She immediately turned the game in our favor and allowed us to play in their half. Kara made a tremendous save to keep the match tied on a corner kick in the second half. I can't say enough about
Madison Buechner's performance for 90 minuntes. It was a total team effort tonight. The ladies really put in the work and earned this one."
Kittle (6-2-1) had three saves.
The Bees were whistled for 13 fouls, compared to only three for the Night Hawks.
The Night Hawks return to TU Soccer Complex on Saturday for conference action when they host Ave Maria (Fla.). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET.