THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University Women's soccer team prepares to host a pair of SUN Conference opponents this weekend, facing Florida Memorial Thursday before taking on nationally-ranked St. Thomas on Saturday.
 
After a blowout win over Florida College to finish its non-conference slate, TU (5-6, 0-3 SUN) was ready to take on its rivals in the SUN Conference.  Or so they thought.  Now, the Night Hawks look to snap a three-game skid and get back into the thick of the conference race after recently falling to #10 Southeastern 4-0 in its last outing.
 
Thomas will look to add more goals in the next pair of contests, as the Night Hawks' current lone score in conference play belongs to Freshman Raelin Lescher.
 
TU vs. FMU (10/14)
Thursday will provide the Night Hawks a great opportunity to take its first steps back in the right direction.  Florida Memorial (0-10, 0-4 SUN) comes off a 4-0 defeat to Webber International, and is still in search of its first goal in four contests.  Four is also the same number of times FMU has scored in the Fall 2021 season.
 
Of the four goals scored, Amaelia Smith has two on the season from FMU's contest against Edward Waters College last month.  Kelsey Akins enters Thursday's contest with one goal and one assist, holding a .667 Shots on Goal Percentage.  Natalie Puntonet scored the other goal for the Lions, taking the most shots on the team with eight on the season.
 
Goalkeeper Hailey Ilijin enters Thursday with a 5.63 Goals Allowed Average while posting a .543 Save Percentage.
 
While the Night Hawks and the Lions are the only teams remaining that have yet to register a conference win this season, the Green & White are 7-0 all-time against Florida Memorial, recently posting a 12-0 win in the 2019 season.
 
TU vs. #22 STU (10/16)
The Bobcats (7-2-2, 2-1-1 SUN) began its season surprising the NAIA, roaring to a 5-0-2 start in Fall 2021.  Of its 11 contests this season, STU has scored seven or more goals in three of them.  The fast-pace offense is just one of the reasons why St. Thomas has struck first in nine contests, which is tied for first in the conference.  STU is led by Miranda Ferradaz (5G, 3A) and Katharina Jüllich (4G, 5A).
 
Defensively, the backline has been as equally stressful for opponents, holding SUN's best Goals Allowed Average (0.64) and allowing just under eight shots a game.  Goalkeeper Melanie Lefebvre enters the weekend with an 80% Save Percentage, allowing eight goals in the 2021 season.
 
St. Thomas will make a stop in Lakeland, Fla. to face nationally-ranked Southeastern on Thursday before making the trip to the Rose City.
 
While the Night Hawks' lone win against the Bobcats came in 2014, the last two matches in the Thomas-St. Thomas rivalry ended in draws.
 
Live Action
Kickoff times for both contests at TU Soccer Complex are set for 1 p.m.  Fans can follow the live coverage of each contest by accessing the links below:
 
TU vs. FMU (10/14)
Live Stats                             Live Video
 
TU vs. #22 STU (10/16)
Live Stats                             Live Video
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of TU Women's soccer by following them on Twitter at @NightHawksWSocc.