LAKE WALES, FL – The St. Thomas men's soccer team lost a crucial game to Warner Southern College 3-1 Thursday, dropping them back under .500 for the season (6-7-2), and more importantly 3-4-1 in the Sun Conference. With only two games remaining in the season, the Bobcats hold a precarious one game lead over the Savannah College of Art and Design for fourth place in the SC. With only the top four teams advancing to the conference tournament in November, getting wins in the final two regular season matches (against Embry-Riddle and Webber International) is imperative.
The game began with the Royals coming out aggressive, which paid off with a quick score in the eight minute with a Marc Jeanty strike off an assist from Luis Marroquin. Although the Royals were out six of their normal starters, the offense remained aggressive as Sasa Muzdeca knocked a goal in that bounce off the right crossbar and in for the Royals second score on the night.
The Bobcats answered two minutes later, in the 33rd minute, with a goal from Thiago Rocha. Neither team found the net again in the first half as the Royals took a 2-1 lead into the break.
Unlike the first period, the second half of the match proved to be a defensive struggle. Eight total shots were taken in the first half, three from St. Thomas and five from Warner, while the second half saw 14 shots, seven from each team. Royal's goalkeeper Josh Havens recorded five saves and 'Cats keeper Aaron Jones had two.
Thiago Rocha was the bright spot for STU, as he recorded four of the team's ten total shots, while directing three shots toward net in addition to his goal. Gabe Renteria, Luis Campo, and Juan Zuluaga also had attempts on goal, but to no avail. Sunday Ogundaise, who had been the focal point of the offense since he debuted midway through the season, was held in check as he did not attempt a single shot.
The Bobcats final home match will be played Tuesday at 3:30 at Bobcat field against Embry-Riddle for a chance to clinch a spot in the Sun Conference tournament.
