MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 6, 2023) - After defeating Warner University in the first round of the Sun Conference Tournament, the St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Soccer team will advance to the semifinals. The Bobcats will head to Lakeland, Fla. to face #12 Southeastern University on Tuesday, November 7th at 7 p.m. 

#12 Southeastern University has been consistently ranked in the Top 20 in the NAIA this season, with an overall record of 10-4-2 and a conference record of 10-2-2. In the Fire's most recent match up, they faced #6 SCAD-Savannah on their home turf, tying 2-2. The Bobcats have faced the Fire twice this season, the first match ending in a draw while the Bobcats were defeated in the second match.  

In their first match up, the Bobcats traveled to Lakeland to compete against the Fire. Although the match was scoreless, the Bobcats were able to notch eight shots on the Fire defense. This was the first draw in series history between St. Thomas and Southeastern.  

The second time around, the Bobcats hosted the Fire at AutoNation Field. Despite 26 shots taken by the Bobcats, they were unable to take the lead. Cristina Blaya San Pedro was able to net a goal in the 60th minute of the match to put the Bobcats on the board and avoid a shutout, but they ultimately fell 3-1.  

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

• Gabrielle Cimino has been a key player throughout the entire season, leading the team statistically. Cimino notched her ninth goal of the season in the Sun Conference Quarterfinal against Warner University on Saturday, netting the goal just five minutes into the match. Cimino recorded four shots in the first meeting against the Fire, and eight in the second.  

• Alexandra Santiago was honored with Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week this week after her performance in the Quarterfinal match up against Warner. Santiago scored two goals during the match, one in the 21st minute and another in the 76th. These were Santiago's third and fourth goals of the 2023 season, putting her just behind Cimino for leading scorers this season. 

• Alyssa Consalvo had a standout performance against Warner notching two goals of her own. Consalvo scored her first goal just five minutes into the second half against the Royals, scoring in the 50th minute and scoring once again the 74th minute.  

-STU-