 Quintonio Lema’s University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Men’s Soccer teammate senior forward Damieon Thomas scored the game-winning goal with 38.8 seconds remaining to lead them to a 3-2 victory over hosting Presbyterian at Edens Field at Martin Stadium.
The victory improves UNCG to 2-1-2 on the year.
The game-winning goal in the final minute of play capped an impressive performance for Thomas, who recorded his first career hat trick in the victory, scoring all three of the UNCG goals.
He becomes the second UNCG player in as many seasons to notch a hat trick, joining former UNCG player Jacques Francois who accomplished the feat last season against VMI. Thomas came into the game with seven career goals in 24 games, posted his first multiple goal game of his career.
Thomas opened the scoring in the 35th minute of action. Sophomore midfielder Matteo Busio was able to send a through ball between a couple of Presbyterian defenders.
Thomas beat them to the ball and was able to slot his shot past a sprawling Conner Behrend for the 1-0 lead.
Thomas and UNCG looked like they were going to walk away with the game early in the second half when he scored in the 51st minute to put UNCG in front 2-0.
Thomas again got the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and beat a Presbyterian defender. His shot ricocheted off a Presbyterian defender and beat Behrend to the far post for the two-goal cushion.
Presbyterian (1-5-0) took some momentum back in the 70th minute of action, taking advantage of a UNCG miscue in the box. UNCG failed on a clearing attempt and the ball popped out to Mason Lewis from 15-yards out. His shot beat senior goalkeeper Logan Rohde low to cut the UNCG lead in half at 2-1.
Presbyterian came all the way back to tie the game just 6:04 later in the game as it took advantage of a UNCG foul at the top of the 18-yard box. Sebastian Carlson curled a shot over the UNCG wall, but Rohde made a sprawling save to keep the ball out of the top corner. The rebound bounced out in front and Sergio Pinto beat the UNCG defenders to the spot, tapping in the loose ball to knot the game at 2-2.
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