Raz, Thomas Earn Panther Athlete of Week Honors
By Florida Tech // November 13, 2014
soccer's Josh Thomas, swimming's Dar Raz
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – A week filled with a memorable tourney run and record-breaking performances have earned men’s soccer’s Josh Thomas and women’s swimming’s Dar Raz the Florida Tech Panther Student-Athletes of the Week honor.
As the No. 3 seed entering last week’s Sunshine State Conference Tournament, Thomas and the men’s soccer club were vying for the program’s first SSC title in school history. Named to the All-Tournament Team, Thomas doubled his season goal total to six after netting a score in each of the Panthers’ three tournament matches.
On Tuesday, it was Thomas who broke the tie in the 52nd minute with the eventual game-winner in the Panthers’ 1-0 conference quarterfinal victory against Eckerd.
Down 1-0, with the season on the line in the conference semifinal, Thomas forced extra time with a clutch strike in the 81st minute to keep the Panthers alive versus No. 19 Saint Leo. FIT later added the golden goal in overtime, advancing to the conference final.
Continuing his offensive success, Thomas once again found the net in the final 15 seconds of the first half in Sunday’s match with No. 4 Lynn. The goal pulled the Panthers even at 2-2 before falling on a penalty kick in the 68th minute.
RAZ BREAKS THREE SCHOOL RECORDS
In the pool, Raz made herself a part of Florida Tech history by individually breaking three school records and adding a collective fourth as part of the 200-yard medley relay team.
Included in her weekend of highlights were victories in the 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle.
The native of Ramat Gan, Israel, didn’t stop there, as she tacked on another win as a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team Saturday at Rollins.
Picked to finish sixth in the SSC, the men’s soccer team tied for second at 6-2-0 in league play. Overall, it posted a record of 11-5-2.
