LAKELAND, Fla. – The Thomas University women's soccer team was defeated, 2-0, by No. 3 Southeastern Wednesday night at the SEU Soccer Complex.
"I am very pleased with our performance again," said Head Coach
Julie Orlowski. "We created several good looks in the first half, but just couldn't find the net. We are very proficient at finding the crossbar."
The Night Hawks are now 2-2-1 in the Sun Conference and 3-5-2 overall, with their only losses to teams ranked in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll. No. 3 Southeastern is now 11-1-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the league.
TU was outshot 22-7 overall and 11-2 on goal Wednesday night.
Kara Houston made nine saves and allowed two goals in 90 minutes, to the third-ranked team in the country.
Cara Eaton recorded both of TU's shots on goal, while five other student-athletes –
Selma Brorsson,
Anna Gray,
Katy Hanscomb,
Ciera McGriff-Duncan,
Jahzyiah Samuels-Williams - each attempted a shot.
"The combination of
Carolina Ochoa and
Emily Linscer held Uchenna Kanu, an NAIA All-American, in check for most of the match," added Orlowski.
McGriff-Duncan attacked early, taking the Night Hawks' first shot at 2:25. SEU countered with five shots over the next 16 minutes. Then at 23:37, the Fire took the 1-0 lead with a shot into the back left side of the net. Just four minutes before the break, Eaton struck a good ball, but the SEU keeper made the save.
In the second period, Gray's shot in the 58th minute sailed wide, and a corner kick in the 68th came up empty for the Night Hawks. SEU scored again at 81:17, taking the 2-0 lead. TU's final pursuit was again by Eaton, with four minutes left in the match, a shot that was saved by the SEU keeper.
"We have shown we can play with some of the top teams in the country, now we have to show it against a tough Warner side on Saturday," Orlowski said.
The Night Hawks return to the TU Soccer Complex Oct. 13 to face Warner (Fla.) at 2 p.m.
