COCHRAN, Ga. - The Thomas University Night Hawks women's soccer team took an early lead before needing a last-minute game-winning goal from
Isabelle Gabrielsson to conquer the Middle Georgia State University Knights, 3-2, at NeSmith Field on Wednesday evening.
Sergio Rapuano's program (5-4-2, 3-3-1 SSAC) was on the board first after
Pearl Mortimer took away a pass intended for a Knight before bursting through the back line for a breakaway opportunity. The English senior sunk her fourth goal of the season, bringing her to a tie with
Miasandra Mauro.
A flurry of first-half MGA shots were all turned away by the defense and
Chantelle Thomson (5-4-2), who made a trio of saves. Thomas upped the pressure with the final few minutes of the first half remaining. Gabrielsson and Mortimer both had quality footwork on display with passes through to a streaking
Jordyn Keene for a 2-0 Night Hawks lead before the half; it was Keene's third time scoring this season.
The Knights wouldn't go down easily in the second half, making adjustments to get on the scoreboard in the 52nd minute before leveling the match in the 79th frame.
In the 88th minute, the Night Hawks' defense held strong on a corner kick from MGA before another pressure from the Knights was denied from Gabrielsson. The free ball was picked up by
Jule Rohleder, who maneuvered down the pitch and saw Mortimer in the area. Mortimer then had a tailing Gabrielsson for a game-winning one-timer to put TU in front, 3-2. Gabrielsson's first score of the fall proved to be the final dagger of the match as time expired.
While MGA kept up constant pressure with two dozen shots, only nine were on goal. Thomson made seven total saves in the victory.
Thomas returns to the TU Soccer Complex on Saturday, Oct. 10 against Brewton-Parker Christian University at 12:00 p.m, seeking its fourth-straight win over the Barons. Thomas is outscoring BPCU 15-2 over the winning streak.
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