Six Eagles Score in 6-2 Victory over Wofford
9/27/2007 4:16:00 AM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Six different Eagles scored in a 6-2, Georgia Southern victory over visiting Wofford, Thursday evening (Sep. 27), at Eagle field, marking GSU's first Southern Conference victory.
The Eagles improve to 4-5-0 (1-1-0) with the win, while the Terriers fall to 2-5-1 overall and pick up their first SoCon blemish (0-1-0).
The last time the Eagles scored six goals was in 1998 when Georgia Southern blanked VMI, 6-0.
“I think it was of those days that your shots find the target,” said head coach Kevin Kennedy. “Your're fortunate whenever you can make any goals, and we feel thankful that we were able to get those opportunities and put some goals on the board.”
Georgia Southern got on the scoreboard first in the 15th minute after Patrick Johns (Cumming, Ga.) connected for his first goal of the season. Daniel Smith (Marietta, Ga.) sparked the play after passing to teammate Luigi Clendening (Augusta, Ga.) on the right side. Clendening slotted a leading pass to Johns who scored 10 yards out on the left side of the cage.
In the 24th minute, Clendening initiated another scoring opportunity with a one-touch cross into the box where Matt Crowell (St. Augustine, Fla.) notched his first career goal 10 yards out.
Later, Smith collected a long overhead pass from teammate Austin Steele (Kennesaw, Ga.), then beat the goalkeeper for his second goal of the season in the 33rd minute. His game-winning goal was the second of the season and the Eagles held a 3-0 advantage.
The Terriers continued to apply pressure in the front. Two minutes later, a Georgia Southern miscue opened up the door for Wofford's Kentrel Owens to intercept a pass back to the goalkeeper and notched the team's first goal from six yards out.
With under a minute remaining in the first half, Jon-Pierre Anthony (Birmingham, Ala.) added another winner after collecting a long ball pass from Steele, and then scored from 10 yards out, giving the Eagles a 4-1 lead going into the locker room.
Wofford led the Eagles in first-half shots (6-5) and corner kicks (5-2).
In the 59th minute, Danny Hall (Conyers, Ga.) crossed a pass into the air where Steele was waiting eight yards out to make the one-touch header. It was Steele's first career goal, giving the Eagles a 5-1 advantage.
As evidenced by eight shots in the second half, the Terriers continued to attack, and in the 74th minute, Wofford's Wilson Hood created an open spot for himself and fired a rocket 25 yards out for Wofford goal No. 2.
The Eagles added an insurance goal in the 88th minute after Clendening dribbled past the Wofford defense and fired a winner from 18 yards out. It was the freshman's second career-goal.
Wofford edged the Eagles in total shots, 14-12, while holding a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks.
GSU goalkeeper Josh Veal (Lilburn, Ga.) earned his first victory in the cage making four saves on the day. Wofford's Joey Taylor also made four saves for the Terriers.
“We felt like we were creating some good opportunities, but, before today, we were lacking that last pass and that final finishing touch,” said Kennedy. “We were fortunate to have both of those today, which we haven't had on a consistent basis.”
“Its great to win our home conference opener,” said Kennedy. “Give Wofford credit, I think they are a good side. We were fortunate today. Our mind now is to get ready for Furman on Saturday.”
The Eagles will next face No. 25 Furman, Saturday, Sep. 29 in Greenville, S.C. Kick-off is slated for 3 p.m. at Stone Stadium.
