THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Thomas University men's soccer team picked up a Labor Day victory, defeating the Ave Maria University Gyrenes by a score of 4-2 at the TU Soccer Complex. The Night Hawks improve to 4-2-0 on the season with the victory, while Ave Maria drops to 5-2-0.
Ave Maria wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, taking a 1-0 lead and slotting it in the side of the net just 11 seconds into the match. Thomas answered in the 12th minute when senior forward Ethan Moore found the back of the net off an assist from Franco Ghizzo, marking Moore's team-leading sixth goal of the season.
The Night Hawks continued to apply pressure and took their first lead of the afternoon in the 38th minute. Andrew Lopez scored his first goal of the season, finishing a chance created by Fabio Medici, to put Thomas ahead 2-1 heading into halftime.
Ave Maria evened the contest just two minutes into the second half, but the Night Hawks quickly regained control.
In the 57th minute, Thomas moved back in front when an Ave Maria own goal gave the Night Hawks a 3-2 advantage.
Despite playing a man down following a red card in the second half, Thomas continued to battle and added another goal in the 79th minute. Jake Wright found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, with Edward Sack providing the assist.
The Night Hawks' defense was led by Seth Policke and Joseph Crick, along with freshman goalkeeper Paul Mitchell in his Thomas debut. Thomas held strong throughout the remainder of the contest as Mitchell finished with eight saves on the afternoon, withstanding 18 shots from the visitors, including 10 shots on goal. Thomas finished the match with 10 shots, placing six on frame.
"We were under pressure, you have to be resilient...defenders and midfielders all compact...making sure that we're all together," said head coach Billy Jeffery. "I'm excited to see good things, especially with the guys communicating [as well as they did.]"
The Night Hawks will begin SSAC play on Thursday in New Orleans at Xavier University (La.).
