THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University men's soccer team downed No. 20 Southeastern, 5-2, in dominating fashion Wednesday afternoon at the TU Soccer Complex.
The Night Hawks improve to 6-1-1 in the league, setting up a crucial situation for the final regular season match on Saturday, Oct. 27 against Florida Memorial in Miami Gardens, Fla. With a victory over the Lions, Thomas will earn the top seed in the TSC Tournament and will host semifinals on Nov. 6. But with a loss, TU could drop as far as fourth in the league standings.
TU was predicted to finish fourth in the Sun Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced prior to the 2018 season.
On Wednesday, the nationally-ranked Fire scored just six minutes into the match, but Thomas equalized at 9:36. The Night Hawks took a 2-1 lead before the half, then SEU scored early in the second period to again tie the match. TU scored three unanswered goals in the final 32 minutes to earn the 5-2 win.
Thomas outshot SEU 16-8 overall and 12-4 on goal.
Salvador Marin was on fire again, scoring a pair of goals for the second straight match. He is the only Night Hawk to net multiple goals in multiple matches this season.
Gavin Rochford-Smith attempted six shots, four on goal, and recorded four assists for Thomas.
SEU was awarded a pair of corner kicks and took one shot on goal before netting its first goal at the six-minute mark. In three of its last four matches, Thomas' opponent has scored in the first six minutes of the match.
Thomas did not back down, as Marin's shot was saved at 6:21, then
Cavan Daley got his head on a pass from Rochford-Smith to score TU's first goal in the 10th minute.
The Night Hawks kept attacking, outshooting SEU 5-0 over the next 15 minutes, then scored as Rochford-Smith assisted Marin on his first goal of the game.
TU held SEU without a shot attempt for the final 39 minutes of the first half.
After the break, SEU scored on a header in the 48th minute to tie the match, but again, Thomas answered as
Rene Rivera scored the go-ahead goal in the 59th minute.
The teams traded shots over the next 16 minutes, then in the 75th minute, Rochford-Smith assisted Y'sef Glass on TU's fourth goal.
Then in the 83rd minute, Rochford-Smith sent a ball toward the goal, and Marin was able to get his head on it to score the fifth and final goal of the match.
TU's defense again held SEU in check, allowing just one shot in the final 23 minutes of the match.
The Night Hawks' final regular season match of the year is Saturday, Oct. 27 at noon against Florida Memorial in Miami Gardens, Fla.
