Miami Gardens – The St. Thomas men's soccer team was clicking on all cylinders in a 9-0 defeat of Johnson & Wales University to bring their season record back to .500 (6-6-2, 3-3-1 in the Sun Conference) for the season. The team played stellar defense in front of backup goaltender Felipe Londano and was relentless on the offensive attack. Londano saw his second action of the season, playing for starter Aaron Jones who took the game off to rest for the season's stretch run.
In all, St. Thomas recorded 23 shots, with 13 on goal, and 9 of those finding the back of the net. Sunday Ogundaise led the charge again for the 'Cats with two goals and a beautiful assist to Lusi Campo in the 29th minute for the games first score. Jaisen Labrada also recorded two goals, while Gabe Renteria, Juan Sanchez, Dale Arendse, and Javier Taveras each had a goal apiece. There was a previously unseen sense of unselfishness in this game as well, as the play of the day came to begin the second half when Leonardo Castillo placed a marvelous ball to Labrada who touched it home.
The Johnson & Wales program is in their first year fielding a men's soccer team, so the result must not be taken at face value, but the confidence gained from such a match cannot be underestimated coach Felix Mats said. For a team that has struggled at times this season to score, this type of flow is always welcomed, and entering the final three regular season matches, the hope is that the fluid play will carry over.
The Bobcats will now face three consecutive conference foes to determine if they play in the Sun Conference Tournament on November 8th. After facing Warner Southern on the road, they will play Embry-Riddle at home conclude with Webber International on the road.
