MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2025) — Florida National men's soccer (0-0-1) relied on an early goal to execute a draw against cross-town rival (RV) St. Thomas University (0-1-1) Monday night. Following a lengthy lightning delay, Florida National posted just its fourth tie against the Bobcats in program history and its first under head coach Phillip Maestas Bohn.
The opening half was put on hold after a lightning delay around 6 p.m. pushed the kick-off time at AutoNation Field from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Once the game began, it didn't take long for FNU to get on the board for the first time in 2025.
Newcomer
David Luque Rivero and junior
Juan Pugin's masterful play in the middle of the field created a perfect spot for
Diego Lozano to force goalkeeper Sandro Cabral to come up, leaving an empty net for a Lozano score. The first goal of the evening came just past the seventh-minute mark, changing the tempo and tension of the match. Before the half was over, both teams were given two yellow cards.
STU amassed seven shots and owned all four corners in the first period. Despite leading the way in shots taken and shots on goal, STU's players could not seal the deal when they needed it most. Notably, goalie
Vitor Caetano Pedrosa played a huge part in disrupting the Bobcat offense with three saves.
The Bobcats finally broke through, however, leveling the game with a goal by sophomore and Saint Louis Du Nord, Haiti, native Bouget Bouzis. Bouzis used all of his 6-2 frame to sneak a shot past the arms of Caetano four minutes and 17 seconds into the second half. This proved to be enough for the Bobcats to avoid dropping to 0-2 to begin the 2025 season, as both teams were evenly matched for the rest of the contest.
It was a physically taxing match, with 35 total fouls called and 12 yellow cards issued during the draw. When the final whistle sounded in Miami Gardens, Fla., players fell exhausted on the pitch, visibly showing frustration after it became clear a win would be just out of reach.
FNU tallied five shots to STU's 13 and drew one corner to the Bobcats' six.
Up Next: FNU closes out its debut week against another Sun Conference giant, facing Warner University Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m.
