THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University women's soccer team defeated Middle Georgia State University, 4-3, Saturday afternoon at the TU Soccer Complex. 

MGSU is receiving votes in this week's NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll. The Night Hawks have now played five of its eight matches against teams listed on the national poll. 

"Historically, Middle Georgia has always been a tough match up for us. It's always a battle to play them," said Head Coach Julie Orlowski.  

MGSU took a 2-1 lead at the half, but Thomas fought back to tie the match at the end of regulation. Just one minute into overtime, the Night Hawks drove home the game winner. 

Freshman Lucy Apps made four saves in 91:02 minutes in goal for TU. 

TU scored first, just 12 minutes into the match. Ayla Aiduck took a shot at the goal, the keeper made a save, but then the ball got through and crossed the line before the GK could gather it. Dana Blough assisted on the play. 

Middle Georgia then took advantage of two Thomas mistakes to go up 1-2 at halftime.

After the break, Thomas tied the game on a great offensive effort. The Night Hawks pressed from the kickoff, and the ball ended up on Jahzyiah Samuels-Williams' foot inside the box and she sent it into the net. 

TU's third goal was off a strong possession that created an opportunity. Blough fed the ball into Samuels-Williams' path and she found the bottom corner of the goal. 

MGSU came back and tied the game off a miscleared corner by TU. 

The Night Hawks were able to gather themselves and focus on the overtime, though. TU wasted no time in getting the game winner as Samuels-Williams and Hadas Prawer battled for a ball at midfield that landed at Samuels-Williams' feet. She drove the ball toward their goal then played the perfect through ball into Jana Pastorek's path for the low far post winner.

"I can't say enough about the way this team is maturing and growing," concluded Orlowski. "We have had some adversity and they responded appropriately."

Thomas opens Sun Conference play Sept. 25 against Webber International at the TU Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.