MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - St. Thomas (14-1-1) defeated Truett McConnell (16-4-2) 2-0 in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Championship on Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Field.  With the win, the Bobcats advance to the NAIA National Championships Round of 16 to be played on Nov. 28 at the 2017 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship final site in Delray Beach, Fla.  It marked the first time in school history that the STU Men's Soccer team won an NAIA Opening Round game.

Tomas Greco scored the game-winning goal in the 27th minute.  Greco then provided the assist to Pedro Silva who scored to give the Bobcats a 2-0 lead in the 78th minute.  For Greco, it marked his sixth goal of the season and his team-best eighth assist of the year.  For Silva, the goal was his third of the year.

Goalkeeper Connor Christie and the Bobcat defense shut out the Bears for the full 90 minutes. Christie recorded five saves, including two spectacular diving stops on TMU one-on-one opportunities.  The Bobcat defense held the Bears to just nine total shots, and only three shots in the second half, en route to STU's ninth shutout in 16 games this season. It marked the third consecutive shutout for Christie and the Bobcats, all coming in postseason play.  Dating back to the regular season. STU has registered shutouts in six of its last seven contests.

The Bobcats continued their staggering goal differential on the season.  STU has now outscored opponents 54-12 on the year.

Next up for the Bobcats will be a match in the second round against either sixth seeded Mobile (Ala.)at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Seacrest Soccer Complex in Delray Beach, the final site of the NAIA National Championships.  The quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29 with the semifinals on Friday, December 1.  The National Championship game is scheduled for Saturday, December 2.

The NAIA Network – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast all 15 matches live at the 2017 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship final site in Delray Beach, Fla. The video platform, powered by Stretch Internet, allows users access to live video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single day passes can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-championship tournament package is available at $29.95. For more information and the pre-register, click HERE.