Lions Heading To Georgia, Facing Thomas University Saturday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (2-6-1, 2-3-1) at Thomas University Night Hawks (4-8-1, 0-5-1)
When: Saturday, October 23, 2021
Where: Thomas University, Thomasville, Ga. | TU Soccer Complex
Kickoff: 11 a.m.
Last Meeting: Oct. 26, 2019, Loss 0-7
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – While the cliché of "win or go home" might be a bit heavy-handed, Florida Memorial University's men's soccer team knows that it needs to win its final two games if wants to make the strongest case possible to earn a berth in the Sun Conference postseason tournament and that begins Saturday when it travels to Georgia to face Thomas University in an 11 a.m. match at the TU Soccer Complex.

The Lions did themselves a huge favor this past Wednesday with its home victory against Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). That victory elevated FMU in the standings, ahead of SCAD – which came into that game as the seventh seed – and ahead of Ave Maria University into the No. 6 spot. That sixth spot is the "golden ticket", as its final spot for teams that'll qualify for the TSC tourney.

Florida Memorial (2-6-1, 2-3-1 The Sun Conference) rode a strong performance from Michael Del Gaudio this past Wednesday to capture the win over the Bees. The junior center back recorded a hat trick, scoring three goals to power the Lions to the 4-3 win.

Del Gaudio along with Johan Godoy, who assisted on two goals Wednesday, have been a potent offensive pair for FMU first-year head coach Daniel Radice.

One thing that'll be working against the Lions this weekend, though, is that they'll be down as many as two starters for the important road matchup.

Starting center back Maximilian Dreger sustained an upper extremity injury after a collision with the opposing goalkeeper that forced him to leave Wednesday's game early and be taken out by ambulance for further evaluation and will be out for Saturday's match.

The Lions could also be without starting goalkeeper Jesus Tovar, who played Wednesday but has been away from the team since then for personal reasons. Radice hopes that Tovar could return and join the team in Georgia for the game, but if he's unable to return in time for the game, Radice could turn to Ian Maldonado.

FMU cannot afford a misstep against Thomas University Saturday. The Night Hawks (4-8-1, 0-5-1) sit in the cellar of the Sun Conference standings and have lost their past six matches by a combined margin of 3-16.

Like they did Wednesday against SCAD, the Lions will need to jump out early and play from ahead – especially if Tovar is unavailable – taking whatever fight Thomas University has left in it, out of it.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Michael Del Gaudio: CB; 6' 0"; Junior

#23 Maximilian Dreger: CB; 6' 3"; Freshman

#10 Johan Godoy: MF; 5' 9"; Junior

#27 Ian Maldonado: CB; 6' 1"; Freshman

#0 Jesus Tovar: GK; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#6 Michael Del Gaudio
: 6' 0"; Junior
: CB

#23 Maximilian Dreger
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: CB

#10 Johan Godoy
: 5' 9"; Junior
: MF

#27 Ian Maldonado
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: CB

#0 Jesus Tovar
: 6' 1"; Senior
: GK

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned