MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Fire kept the pressure coming all match long. Southeastern University pushed No. 4 St. Thomas University to the limit, before the host converted a penalty kick with 14 minutes left for the 3-2 men's soccer decision.
After playing to a 2-2 tie over the opening 45 minutes of action and a scoreless second half, the Bobcats took advantage of a Fire red card and converted the ensuing penalty kick at 76:15. Kory Nekloff pounded a shot on goal at 87:06, which was saved, and another attempt just over a minute later (88:15) went wide, denying SEU of the tie.
St. Thomas took its mark to 9-1-1 with the win and 5-1 in The Sun Conference while SEU fell to 6-3-1 overall and 4-2 in the league.
Murillo Ramos and Victor Cavalcante recorded the two Fire goals, with Liam Fisch assisting on the first goal. In goal, Henrique Cavalini saved five Bobcat shots in seven shots faced over his 76 minutes. Esteban Navarrete had two saves in three shots faced in the final 14 minutes of action.
On the second shot of the game, St. Thomas put a quick goal on the scoreboard at 1:11 into the evening. Ramos wasted no time in SEU's answer as he took a pass from Fisch and found the back of the net only 24 seconds later for a 1-1 score.
The Bobcats found paydirt for a second time exactly seven minutes later to go back on top at 2-1.
The Fire kept the heat on the home team for the rest of the opening half until Cavalcante received a penalty kick after a home yellow card. The Fire forward converted the penalty kick and the game was tied again at 21:55.
SEU hosts rival No. 13 Keiser University on Wednesday night. Match time is 7 p.m.
