TAMPA, Fla. – The Thomas University men's soccer team fell, 4-3, to NCAA Division II University of Tampa in double overtime Tuesday night at Pepin Stadium. 

TU took the 2-1 lead after the first period, but Tampa tied the match at three at the end of regulation. After a scoreless first extra period, UT scored in the 105th minute to earn the 4-3 win. 

Tampa opened the scoring just one minute into the match, but Thomas countered in the 34th minute with a penalty kick from Gavin Rochford-Smith. In the final five minutes of the half, Thomas attempted a pair of shots on goal, then Selwyn Slotegraaf connected on a penalty kick in the final minute to give TU the 2-1 lead. 

Tampa scored back-to-back goals in the second period to take the lead, but Thomas fought back with a goal from Diego Azar in the 82nd minute. 

In the first OT, Thomas was outshot 4-2 overall and 2-0 on goal. In the second extra period, a header by Rochford-Smith was saved by the Tampa goalkeeper, then one minute later, UT scored the game winner. 

Ben Barnes made three saves in 104:49 in goal for Thomas. Rochford-Smith attempted seven shots, three on goal, for the Night Hawks. 

The Night Hawks return to the TU Soccer Complex for three straight home matches, beginning with Trinity College (Fla.) Sept. 21 at 3 p.m., followed by the Sun Conference home opener SCAD-Savannah (Sept. 25, 4 p.m.) and Warner University (Sept. 28, 12 p.m.).