MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (September 21, 2023)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Soccer team defeated the (RV) Southeastern Fire 2-0 to remain undefeated. The Bobcats will continue action on Saturday on the road at Florida Memorial, for the first installment of "The Battle of Miami Gardens".
 
The game started at a steady pace with both sides figuring each other out. Guido Cacciabue got the first shot off for STU in the opening minutes of the game, almost sneaking it by the Fire keeper. Southeastern had some early momentum in hopes of upsetting the #3 Bobcats. The Fire just barely missed their second shot of the game hitting the crossbar, which shifted the mood of the STU team.
 
In the 20^th minute of the first half Guido Cacciabue took a corner which found the foot of Teo Rondon. Rondons' shot looked promising but it would be blocked to keep the game scoreless. Things started to heat up with just under 15 minutes to go in half one, and the Bobcats were starting to apply more offensive pressure. Angelo Bernandes had the best opportunity in the opening half, getting an open shot off that would make the keeper make a diving save.
 
Heading into the second half scoreless, STU didn't miss a step in the break and came out firing once again. Evan Bjerke took a shot from about 20 yards out, narrowly missing the net right. In the 68^th minute of the match, Joaquin Domber let one rip from the AutoNation logo about 35 yards out and found the back of the net to break the tie and give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.
 
Still with a ton of time on the board the Fire picked up their pace of play, looking to knot it up. STU however didn't relax and kept up the offensive pressure, looking to add some cushion. Guido Cacciabue and Pascal Agostini both had prime opportunities back to back, making the Southeastern keeper fight to keep his team in the match. With 13 seconds remaining in the game, the Fire had one last chance with a corner. Hernando Suarez would find the ball in the scrum and pass it up to Benjamin Stein. With the Fire goalie pushed up in the Bobcats box, Stein took it all the way down and put it into the empty net to make it 2-0 with no time on the clock.
 
Box Score Notables

• Joaquin Domber- 1 shot, 1 goal
• Benjamin Stein- 1 shot, 1 goal
• Franco Acerbi- 2 saves