THOMASVILLE, Ga. - No. 20 Thomas hits the road for the first time this season Friday when the Night Hawks travel to Truett McConnell (Ga.). Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. ET.

In addition to live stats, the match will be televised online through Stretch Internet. Updates will also be available on Thomas' official men's soccer Twitter account (@NightHawksMSocc).

Game 4/#20 Thomas (1-2) at Truett McConnell (3-0-1)
Friday, Sept. 8 • 2:30 p.m. ET
Cleveland, Ga. • TMU Soccer Complex
TV: Stretch Internet
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
Twitter Updates: @NightHawksMSocc

ABOUT THOMAS

Thomas is coming off a 3-2 loss at home to Dalton State (Ga.) on Sept. 3, the final day of the TU Invitational.

Leo Thompson cut Thomas' 2-0 deficit in half in the 22nd minute when his header found the back of the net following a cross from Nicola Monelli.

The Night Hawks played with a man advantage for nearly 41 minutes of the match following a red card to the Roadrunners' Sebastian Guzman in the 22nd minute for fighting

The match was reduced to 10 players per side when a Thomas player picked up his second yellow card in the 63rd minute. Andile Sithole tied the affair 28 seconds later from six yards out.

However, the Roadrunners took the lead for good in the 68th minute with a goal.

Thompson totaled two shots on goal.

Goalkeeper Ben Barnes made his first start this season for the Green and White, recording three saves in 90 minutes.

Thomas outshot Dalton State, 16-14, and held an edge in corner kicks, 5-3.

ABOUT TRUETT MCCONNELL

The Bears are coming off a 1-1 tie with Columbia International (S.C.) on Sept. 2.

Victor Clemente gave Truett McConnell a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute, but the Rams tied the match in the 81st minute.

The Bears held an edge in shots, 17-16.

THOMAS IN 22ND SEASON 

The 2017 campaign marks the 22nd in the history of Thomas men's soccer. 

The Night Hawks have reached the NAIA National Championship three times (2013, 2014, 2016) in the last four seasons and are coming off a second round appearance in 2016. Thomas is 1-2-1 all-time in the tournament.

Thomas has been a member of The Sun Conference since 2012 and is 34-11-3 in league play. The Night Hawks won The Sun Conference Tournament championship in 2013 and 2014 and the league's regular-season title in 2016.

ZAMBRANO AT THE HELM

Entering his 17th season as a collegiate head coach and 13th at the helm of Thomas, Zambrano is 171-112-20 overall, including 124-82-17 with the Night Hawks. He has the most wins in Thomas history.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Thomas is ranked No. 20 in the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Night Hawks have been ranked in the top 25 for 11-consecutive and in 36 of the last 40 polls dating back to 2013. 

THOMPSON, HOWARTH AMONG THE BEST IN THE NAIA

Thompson ranks 21st in the NAIA in goals per game, (1.3), 32nd in points per game (2.7) and 43rd in shots per game (4.0).

Goalkeeper Lee Howarth is 33rd in saves per game (6.5).

SUCCESS AGAINST TOP 25

Thomas is unbeaten in six of its last eight regular-season matches against ranked opponents. 

ROAD WARRIORS

The Night Hawks have won 10 of their last 12 road matches.

DAUNTING SCHEDULE

Six of Thomas' opponents rank in the latest top 25 – No. 13 Georgia Gwinnett, No. 14 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), No. 16 Bryan (Tenn.), No. 17 Vanguard (Calif.), No. 19 Saint Thomas (Fla.) and No. 23 Dalton State. Two others - Johnson & Wales (Fla.) and Keiser (Fla.) - are receiving votes. The Night Hawks are 0-1 against the top 25 this season, having lost to then-No. 11 Bryan.

Four of those opponents - Bryan, Georgia Gwinnett, Saint Thomas, Keiser - reached the NAIA National Championship last season, with Keiser advancing to the second round. The Night Hawks' clash with Georgia Gwinnett on Oct. 17 at Columbus State (Ga.) is a rematch of last season's National Championship opening round contest won by Thomas in overtime. 

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE

Zambrano's group is represented by 16 countries on this year's roster - the United States, England, Sweden, Ireland, Wales, Brazil, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Canada, Spain, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Bolivia and Australia.