Miami Gardens, FL - Two goals and an assist by Thiago Rocha led to a convincing 4-0 St. Thomas University (4-5-1, 3-3-1 in the Sun Conference) men's soccer team victory over the Webber International University Warriors (2-5-1, 0-4-1 in SC).
In the first three minutes of the game Rocha's play hinted at the show he would put on against the Warriors. On one Bobcat possession Gabriel Renteria approached the net from the right hand side and with precision, placed the ball onto Rocha. Without hesitation he fired away at the net to have the ball ricochet off the upper right, the shot was so hard the goal was still shaking seconds afterwards.
Despite being out shot by the Bobcats 15 to seven the Warriors were not completely silent during the first period. On a throw in from the right sideline of the goal the ball was lobbed high and landed for Warrior Ashley Crank to attempt a header. Fortunately for the Bobcats Aaron Jones was there for the diving save. Jones ended the game with six saves no goals allowed and a complete game shutout.
The scorekeeper would be put to work during the 37 minute when Rocha placed the ball in front of Dale Arendse in a one on one situation with the goalie, which he would win kicking the ball into the lower left hand corner of the goal.
Rocha would be on the receiving end of a good pass from Miyen Spinnelli which he would score off of during the 43rd minute. On the play Spinnelli passed the ball a head to Rocha, which he chased down before it went out of bounds. Moving at top speed, with a defender chasing behind him Rocha faked the goalie right and kicked the ball into the net with his left foot.
At the intermission the score was 2-0, and the Warriors decided to change goalkeepers. Everton Coates ended his day giving up two goals and making three saves in 45 minutes. Andres Zwaans would replace him to produce identical numbers in the second period.
One of the goals scored on Zwaans was done with a little flair as Rocha stood before a defender a little right of the goal. With the defender on his toes Rocha showcased some dribbling skills that put the defender on his heels which eventually had him guessing wrong, and leaving the goalkeeper shocked to see the ball pass by him and into the back of the net.
The final goal for the Bobcats came after Renteria served the ball ahead to Jaisen Lebrada who took the goalie on one on one. Instead of giving him a move he simply pooched the ball 20 feet in the air over the goalie and it one hopped into the empty net. The Bobcats play again October 11 against St. Xavier University, at 1 PM in Orlando Park, FL.
