Eagles Score First, but Charleston Prevails, 3-1

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. ? Georgia Southern freshman Jarryd Nolette scored a goal just 29 seconds into the match, but second-seeded College of Charleston countered with three of its own to notch a first round win in the Southern Conference tournament, Saturday afternoon (Nov. 10) at Patriots Point field in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

With the win, the Cougars (13-4-1, 6-1-0) advance to the tournament semifinals, while the seventh-seeded Eagles conclude the 2007 season at 6-12-0 overall and 2-5-0 in league play.

Nolette (Windermere, Fla.) fired a shot from 12 yards out after collecting a loose ball in the box that was crossed from the right side. It was his first career goal.

But College of Charleston quickly turned the momentum around and responded with the equalizer in the third minute for a 1-1 tie. Kareem Yearwood, who tallied four points on the day, notched the Cougars' first goal unassisted.

“We did some good things and scored a nice goal,” said head coach Kevin Kennedy. “But then we had some mental lapses. We made some mistakes in the back and they capitalized off of them. We had some opportunities, but didn't capitalize.”

In the 14th minute, Zach Prince put the Cougars ahead with the game-winning goal thanks to an assist by Yearwood.

Six minutes later, College of Charleston added an insurance goal off the foot of Casey Gold for a 3-1 advantage it wouldn't relinquish.

Going into the locker room, the Cougars led the Eagles in shots (6-3) and corner kicks (2-1).

The Eagles made adjustments in the second half that allowed more shot opportunities. Georgia Southern fired eight shots off in the second half, compared to Charleston's four. The Eagles also led the Cougars in corner kicks in the second stanza, 4-1. But the visiting team was unable to rally back as the Cougars held on for the win.

“We made some adjustments in the second half,” said Kennedy. “So we chased the game and tried to get a goal back but weren't able to do it. Give Charleston credit; they played well for 90 minutes.”

Georgia Southern goalkeeper Joey Ralph (Evans, Ga.) made four saves on the day in a full 90 minutes, while CofC's Corbin Waller stopped six shots on goal on the day.

The Cougars will next face the winner of the UNC Greensboro-Davidson match at 7 p.m. Fri., Nov. 16, in Greensboro, N.C.

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Eagles Score First, but Charleston Prevails, 3-1

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