Eagles Stymie Western Carolina With Late Goals, 2-1

// BOX SCORE // UPDATED STATS (9-30-12) //

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Georgia Southern Women’s Soccer got back on track Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 victory at Western Carolina. The teams exchanged goals in the 64th and 67th minutes, but it was Sydnie Van Curen that clinched the victory with her 74th minute goal.

“We’ve had to battle back a few times this year after giving up a goal, and it really shows that this team doesn’t quit,” said head coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel. “I’m proud of the team’s effort and persistence to not only tie the match, but get the winning goal. We sealed the win with great game management late and picked up a much-needed three points..”

Georgia Southern came out swinging in the first half, out-shooting the Catamounts by a 7-2 margin and holding a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal. GSU also led in corners, 6-1, but neither team was able to find the goal in the opening half.

Western Carolina grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 64th minute as Markie Studnicky scored from five feet from a pass by Amanda Schwartz for her fifth goal of the year.

Just over three minutes later, GSU responded with Alex Murphy’s first goal of the season. She headed the ball home inside the six-yard box off a free kick from Nora El-Shami. The assist was the third of the season for El-Shami.

In the 74th minute the Eagles recorded the go-ahead goal as Sydnie Van Curen finished off an Eagle counterattack which saw GSU march down the field and take a 2-1 lead. That goal proved to be enough for Georgia Southern to take the victory on Van Curen’s team-high fifth goal of the year.

The moves the Eagles back to .500 in conference play (2-2) as GSU improves to 6-3-3 overall. Western Carolina falls to 5-5-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the SoCon.

The Eagles open October on Thursday evening at College of Charleston at 7 p.m. before returning home to face The Citadel on Sunday afternoon at Eagle Field.

Fans can follow their Eagles at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com or receive short updates at facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics or on Google+ at gplus.to/GSAthletics.

Category: Women's Soccer

Published on Sunday, 30 September 2012 16:55