MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 18, 2021) – The fifth ranked and first seeded St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Soccer team (14-0-2, 7-0-1 SUN) secured a spot in the NAIA Opening Round Championship Game for the Miami Gardens Bracket after defeating the fourth seeded University of California-Merced Bobcats (14-5-0, 7-1 CalPac) 3-0 after a three and a half hour weather delay.
 
St. Thomas moves to their second straight Opening Round championship game. This is also their third straight nationals' appearance. The Bobcats are currently on a 10-game season win streak and a three-game Opening Round win streak.
 
The match was silent through the first 45-minutets of play. St. Thomas held most of the possession and had offensive control just coming up short. Seven shots were taken in the first half and five corner kicks were taken, but none found the back of the net.
 
The second have proved to be the difference maker for the game. Sun Conference Player of the Year, Fernando Arzeno, continues to be the offensive spark for STU. Arzeno scored in the first 44-seconds of the second half. After a chip from the right side from Joaquin Domber into the six-yard was perfectly placed for the head of Arzeno who forced it past the keeper for the 1-0 lead.
 
Six minutes later, Arzeno out another goal on the board for St. Thomas. Felipe Madero had the assist in the box that helped Arzeno give the extra little push needed. This gave STU a 2-0 lead and all the momentum in the 52^nd minute.
 
Mark Oghogho was the icing on the championship cake for St. Thomas as he scored in the 85^th minute and made the lead and eventual final score, 3-0.
 
St. Thomas outshot UC-Merced 14-3 (11-2 on goal). The defense also only gave up one corner kick in the second half.
 
St. Thomas will now take on Ottawa University of Arizona in the championship game on Saturday, November 20 at 12 p.m. winner will move on to the NAIA Men's Soccer final site in Decatur, Ala.