MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Down its starting goalkeeper and another defender who became a fill-in goalkeeper, Florida Memorial University showed a great level of resolve and grit in spite of playing with a shuffled lineup, narrowly falling to host St. Thomas University 1-0 Wednesday night.
 
In what is billed as the "Battle of Miami Gardens", the Lions played the Bobcats to a scoreless first half in what was a physical and hotly contested match.
 
St. Thomas broke the scoreless tie in the 48th minute when George Koutsopodiotis capitalized on a corner kick and put the ball in the back of the net. Florida Memorial's defense walled up and held the Bobcats to just one shot over the course of the final 42 minutes, but the Lions were unable to generate any shots on goal themselves to get on the board and potentially tie the game.
 
FMU head coach Connor Campbell elected to put senior defender Pete Afato in the net in place of the injured goalkeeper Keanan Ainge and injured stand-in goalkeeper Larry Blasco. Afato recorded two big saves and did his part in keeping the Bobcats offense in check.
 
The Lions (0-3, 0-2 Sun Conference) will have a week to mend and prepare before it hits the road again to take on Warner University on September 30th.