THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Thomas University women's soccer team tied the Bees from SCAD-Savannah in a hot and sunny Thursday afternoon SUN Conference contest.
The two team's SUN-opener was plagued with high temperatures as each team became winded down the stretch, forcing several stops in play due to heat exhaustion.
The Night Hawks (5-2-2, 0-0-1 SUN) opened the contest with a goal in the 18th minute off a long strike from sophomore Sasha Manders.
The play developed through a long ball from Abbie McCammon before Manders cut inside and lofted a shot just under the cross bar, 1-0.
The Night Hawks had just ten shots in the contest with SCAD goalkeeper Zoe Goodale grabbing one save.
Despite the Bees being the overwhelming favorite in the shots category, the Night Hawks were able to hold on until just before the half when an accidental handball in the box gave away a penalty.
The unintentional hand ball in the box leveled the contest in the 43rd, after the ensuing PK was placed upper left, 1-1.
TU's best chance in the second half came off a combination of shots by Sasha Manders and Janae Scott. Manders' initial shot was first blocked into a dangerous spot with Scott's second attempt, also on goal, getting blocked just seconds later. The pair of goal-line clearances came from SCAD's center backs, keeping the game even in the 70th.
In total, the #11 Bees (8-1-1, 0-0-1 SUN) fired 20 shots in the contest, asking TU goalkeeper Emily Lamoreaux to rake in save after save. The impressive 13 save performance was split with six saves in the first half followed by seven additional saves in the second.
The sophomore keeper kept the Night Hawks in the game down the stretch, grabbing three sensational saves in the final five minutes of play. A combination of parries into the woodwork and strong challenges in the box were just enough for the Night Hawks to hold on in the 1-1 draw.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Goalkeeper Emily Lamoreaux played all 90 minutes and made 13 saves in the contest.
- Manders' lone goal in the 18th was enough for the Night Hawks to pick up their first point in SUN competition.
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Thomas moves to 5-2-2 on the season with a draw and a win against ranked opponents.
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.
