THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University Women's soccer team will look to set the tone in South Florida this weekend against #2 Keiser Thursday and Ave Maria Saturday in its first pair of SUN Conference games of the season.
 
The Night Hawks (5-3) finished non-conference play on a high note, posting two shutout wins over Albany State and Florida College last time out.  Juniors Analeice Wilkes and Jana Pastorek head into conference play with double-digit points on the season.  The forwards' combined shot total makes up nearly half of the team total shots.  Pastorek additionally will be a player for KU and AMU to watch, as the German's seven total goals is tied for second in the SUN.
 
Reigning SUN Defensive Player of the Week Abbie McCammon and the back line will have its hands full this weekend with two of the top four shooting teams in SUN, as both squads average over 20 shots a game. 
 
Keiser (5-1) is off to a strong start as expected, averaging over 26 shots a contest.  The Seahawks' lone loss came to #1 William Carey in a 2-0 setback that saw KU shotless.  Keiser defensively has allowed an average of under seven goals a contest.  15 different players have scored for the Seahawks this season, with Matilda Ovenberger and Nohara Takayama leading the way with four goals apiece.
 
In net, KU has a fresh face in Grace McClellan.  While the Freshman has recorded 12 saves on the season and a 0.88 Goals Allowed Average, McClellan's Save Percentage is only .706 despite facing four and a half shots a match.
 
TU will look to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Seahawks earlier this spring, as Keiser leads the overall series 10-1 over the Night Hawks.
 
Ave Maria (6-2) was off to a fast start in Fall 2021, until they hit a road block against RV Middle Georgia, falling 4-1 to the Knights Monday.  The Gyrenes face a tough stretch of opponents this week, facing #6 Southeastern Thursday before hosting the Night Hawks Saturday.
 
The Gyrenes have possessed different scoring options for Fall 2021.  Lauren Brooks currently holds four goals and two assists, but creates dangerous scoring chances (90% SOG percentage).  AMU may have four Dalton daughters on the team, but two of the sisters (Emily and Rachel) are also reliable scoring options for the Gyrenes, as Emily leads the team with five goals and two assists while Rachel has just three goals.
 
Ave Maria Goalkeeper Maddie Samuelson will look to rebound against SEU before taking on Thomas, as the senior comes off a 20% Save Percentage against Middle Georgia.  Samuelson currently averages 1.42 Goals Allowed on the season.
 
TU's perfect streak over the Gyrenes will be on the line Saturday, as the Green & White not only have won all ten previous matches, but the team has not given up a goal to AMU.
 
Kickoff times against both Keiser and Ave Maria are both set for 1 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, respectively.  Fans can follow the live action by accessing the links below:
 
Thomas vs. Keiser (Thursday)
Live Stats                            Live Video
 
Thomas vs. Ave Maria (Saturday)
Live Stats                            Live Video
 
For up-to-date information on these games 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.