MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.- Defending Sun Conference champion St. Thomas (1-0) took down Ave Maria (0-1-1) with a flurry of goals during a rainy Monday opening night. Five Bobcats netted as Federico Moronell recorded a thunderous hat-trick and two new comers and two returners scored one each.

The action was not light at the Bobcat Field as the score-line was broken early, with a third minute goal from graduate student Moronell. A beautiful cross into the box by Santiago Dirrocco landed perfectly on the head of the forward and he ensured it landed in the back of the net.

The new faces of the Bobcat squad got their chance next. Konstantinos Mylonas curled one past the keeper after a beautiful Tomas Greco setup outside the 18 yard box at the 18^th minute mark. Pedro Silva went for a cross to the box from the right side of the pitch that curved right in to the top left bin, earning him his first goal of the season at the 30^th minute.

After assisting on the offensive efforts, Greco scored a goal of his own at the 34^th minute. A cross from Mylonas landed at the feet of the Argentine midfielder, as he then took out two defenders and scored bringing the score at the half to 4-0.

The second half brought more action as STU pushed for more. One of the leading scorers for the Bobcats during the 2016 season, Artur Sharapov, opened his scoring campaign for the 2017 season from a 60^th minute corner kick. The kick came into the box and was headed by Harry Molyneux to the head of Sharapov as he cemented a fifth St. Thomas goal.

Moronell would close out his hat-trick with two quick goals as the first, in the 67^th minute, came from a midfield cross by Fabian Heinrich. A header that landed in the back of the net would secure the brace. His final goal resulted in the forward dribbling past multiple defenders and the keeper, as he simply tapped it in to close out the scoring on the night for the Bobcats.

The final score read 7-1, with zero cards being handed out as both teams played a tough, respectable match.

Starting goalkeeper Robert Barton earned a first half clean sheet as he picked up one save on the night. Connor Christie protected the Bobcat goal from the second half on.

Next up for the Bobcats is an away match in Thomasville, Ga. on Saturday, September 2nd against RV Dalton State College as the team takes part in the TU Invitational.

Follow that match live at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/thomas/.