Miami Gardens, FL – The Bobcats lost another heartbreaking game this 2008 season, with a 2-1 overtime defeat at the hands of the Northwood University Seahawks. The Bobcats controlled the tempo for most of the early part of the game, but in the 98th minute, Joonas Siikala scored his second goal to break a 1-1 tie and give the St. Thomas men their fourth consecutive loss.
As has been the trend most of this season, St. Thomas began the game strong, tallying the first goal of the match in the 21st minute off the foot of Javier Taveras. However, this would prove to be the last shot on goal for the Bobcats, as they went on to attempt only three more shots for the remainder of regulation and overtime.
The Seahawks capitalized on the Bobcats lack of offensive production, and answered the initial score in the 40th minute, with an unassisted goal by Joonas Siikala. Siikala, who went on the score the deciding goal, was a constant force on offense for Northwood, recording four total shots, all of which were on goal, and two of which ended up in the back of the net. The Seahawks as a team had eleven official shot attempts, with seven of those tries being on goal.
Goalie Aaron Jones and the defense did what they could to keep the Bobcats in the game, but in the end, Northwood was too much. Jones had five saves, but was unable to stop the Seahawks final attempt in the overtime period.
Yet again, a very physical game worked against the Bobcats, as the astronomical 55 combined fouls slowed the pace of the game, and never allowed STU to find their offensive rhythm. 24 of those fouls were called against St. Thomas, and three Bobcats were also given yellow cards for overly physical play during the match.
This loss marks the fourth straight for the 'Cats as they look to turn things around against out-of-conference foe Thomas University on Friday at Bobcat Field. Their record stands at 3-4 for the season, and their loosing streak extends to four games after yet another hotly contested, one-goal loss.
