Georgia State Defeats Georgia Southern, 3-2

by Cassie Folck

September 9, 2012

A late goal by the Georgia State women’s soccer team gave the Panthers their second win of the weekend.

Georgia State (3-3) took an early lead, before watching Georgia Southern (4-1-2) storm back to tie it up in the second half. But a last second goal by junior Lyndsey Gaffney handed the Eagles their first loss of the season.

Sophomore Nikki Fedele got things going in the first half, scoring in the 19^th minute, on a header from a cross from junior Jewel Evans to put the Panthers up 1-0. Not more than one minute later, junior Alyssia Feronti was tapped to take a penalty shot for Georgia State. She sent the ball into the top right corner past the goalie, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

Georgia Southern, however, wasn’t daunted by two goal deficit. In the 28^th minute, Sydnie Van Curen of Georgia Southern put the Eagles on the board. At the half, Georgia State led 2-1.

About 15 minutes into the second half, the Eagles scored again to tie the game up at 2-2. Time continued to wind down and it was starting to look like the match would be headed to overtime. But at the 84^th minute, Gaffney made the game winning goal for the Panthers. Sophomore Whitney Ravan crossed the ball across the box, and from 16 yards out, Gaffney launched the ball past the goalie.

Junior Rebecca Toler, in her second game starting for the Panthers, recorded nine saves. The Panthers took a total of 24 shots in the game, five of which were on goal.

This is the first 2-0 weekend for coach Derek Leader and the first for Georgia State since the weekend of Sept. 16, 2011.

The Panthers will next play at home on Friday night at 7 p.m. against UT Martin, following Georgia State men’s team at 4 p.m.