WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary men’s soccer team dropped a hard-fought, 2-1, decision to Georgia State Wednesday night from Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly field.  After junior captain Will Smith netted the equalizer in the 60th minute, GSU countered with the game-winner in the 82nd minute.  W&M’s record falls to 2-8-3 on the year and 0-3-2 in CAA play, while Georgia State improves to 4-7 overall and 1-3 in league action.

In the early going, Georgia State didn’t shy away in looking to take the initial advantage.  Just over a minute into the contest, from 20-yards away, GSU freshman William Mellors-Blair sent a high bending rocket on frame, but the attempt was thwarted away by W&M sophomore keeper Bennett Jones’ outreached right hand.  In the 38th minute, GSU took the lead when sophomore Peter Kurowski punched home a cross from sophomore Bo Stroup.  Minutes before intermission, freshman Ryan Flesch was on the verge of tying the affair as the Manassas, Va., native cranked a shot from just outside the 18 that resulted in a GSU save.

Looking for a second-half spark, juniors Roshan Patel and Will Smith provided just that for the Green and Gold.  In the 60th minute, the College generated a free-kick opportunity just shy of midfield.  That’s when Patel sent the service to Smith, who blasted home the equalizer from just outside the six on the right side.  The set-piece score was the first of Smith’s career, while the helper was the first of Patel’s career.  With the momentum in its favor, the College reeled off three unanswered shots, which was highlighted by junior Chris Perez’s attempt on frame that was batted away by GSU senior keeper Vincent Foermer in the 68th minute.  The Panthers connected on the difference maker when senior Alex Vivanco headed in Stroup’s corner kick in the 82nd minute.

For the match, Georgia State outshot the College, 18-11, which included a 9-4 edge in shots on goal.  Jones finished the night tying his career-high with seven saves in all 90 minutes of action between the posts for the Tribe.  All-time, the Green and Gold is 6-4 against Georgia State.

The Tribe returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 13, as it travels to George Mason for a 7 p.m. match.

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