MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 19, 2022) - A trip back to the final site was one the line and that was just enough motivation for the St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Soccer team (11-1-5) to breakthrough and take the victory over Florida National (11-3-3).

The Bobcats and the Conquistadors met up for the third time this season, this time with much more on the line. Both teams had not allowed a goal against in the first two meetings ending in scoreless draws. But St. Thomas able to breakthrough in the 31st minute to break a 211-minute goalless streak among both teams.

Hernando Suarez, a name you may not know but will be a name you will not forget, was able to get a through ball into the box in just the right spot to get past Conquistador keeper, Victor Ruiz. The ball found the right foot of Felipe Madero who was able to give it a toe tap misdirection into the back half of the net. 

Just three minutes later the pressure continued from the Bobcat offense with a beautifully built up play starting with a chip up from Madero to Guido Cacciabue, at a glance it looked like a miss connection back to Madero. That was until Suarez was the man the ball was intended for at the top of the box. Suarez dribbled through three defenders working his was across the box and taking an angled shot that just trickled passed a fully extend Ruiz that could only just watch it go by. This gave STU a 2-0 lead in the 35th minute.

The two goals would be more than enough for Franco Acerbi and the Bobcat defense to shutdown the Conquistador offense. Two red cards were also handed to Florida National players making it a nine on eleven advantage to St. Thomas for the final 30 minutes of play. STU had the pressure but could not get one passed Ruiz again as he came up five some big saves and deflections to keep it just at two.

This was the 12th complete game shutout for Acerbi 13 on the year for the defense. St. Thomas punched their ticket to the final site in Decatur, Alabama as one of the final 10 teams remaining. This is the third time in program history the Bobcats head to the final site, second in just three years and second in the new format with the first and second round on campus sites. 

The Bobcats will enter as the seventh seed at the final site and will play in the Opening Round against the 10th seeded Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders. The National Tournament continues on Tuesday, November 29 with kickoff set at 5 p.m. eastern time at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex.

Follow the Bobcats journey for the Battle For the Red Banner on social @STU_MSoccer

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