Philadelphia, Pa. - Playing through a downpour of rain on a water-soaked field, the Georgia State women's soccer team fell just short of a victory Friday evening, dropping its first conference game 1-0 to Drexel.

"It was the hardest rain I've ever had to be outside in," said head coach Domenic Martelli. "It rained and rained and rained, and then rained some more. There was water standing all over field. The ball was just sitting in puddles and wasn't traveling well for either team."

Six minutes following the initial kick off, sophomore forward Jewel Evans got her chance at a Panther score, sending a powerful ball towards Drexel's goal. Unfortunately, Evans' shot hit the post, missing the net by mere inches.

Drexel got on the board at the 7:09 minute mark with a goal from Sam Greenfield.  Searching for the equalizer after the Dragon's score, redshirt-sophomore Jordan Young booted a ball that missed the goal high, sailing up and over the cross bar.

The Panthers were unable to even the score before the first half came to an end and GSU entered into halftime down by one.

After the break, sophomore Alison Gonzalez was quick to create a scoring opportunity for Georgia State, blasting a shot just 25 seconds into the second half. Her strong ball could not make it through the opposing back line as her shot was blocked by a Drexel defender.

With water standing on the Dragons' turf field, the conditions proved difficult for either team to make a drive down the field.  Sophomore Alyssia Feronti and freshman Whitney Ravan both got shots off in the second half in an attempt to overcome the one-point deficit but neither were able to find the back of the net.

"We played a better second half and created a good amount of scoring chances," commented Martelli. "It was a battle in a torrential downpour."

With the wet and rainy conditions causing problems for both sides, neither team was able to tally a second-half goal and Drexel came away with the 1-0 win.  

Georgia State women's soccer returns to the pitch Sunday, Sept. 25 as the team takes on Delaware at 1 p.m. in Newark, Del. Fans can follow the action via live stats at www.GeorgiaStateSports.com. Full statistics and a recap will be available on the website following the conclusion of Sunday's game.

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