Second Half Scoring Spree Lifts Georgia Southern Over Lander
8/25/2010 11:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Men's Soccer Team scored three second half goals to defeat Lander 4-1 in its second exhibition game of the season Wednesday (August 25) at Eagle Field.
The Bearcats found the net first, but the Eagles tied the game less than five minutes before halftime, sparking a second half scoring spree.
The Eagles evened the score just before halftime on a goal by freshman defender Drew Ruggles (Manassas, Va.). Senior Jon Cox (Alpharetta, Ga.) sent the ball in from just outside the 18-yard box, finding Ruggles, who got loose behind the Bearcat defense for the goal.
Freshman Hunter Norton (Evans, Ga.) scored what proved to be the game winner in the 68th minute, putting a long ball from Austin Steele (Kennesaw, Ga.). Luigi Clendening (Augusta, Ga.) got in the books with a goal in 73rd minute. Ethan LaPan (Martinez, Ga.) slid to get a touch on the ball before it was cleared, pushing it to the feet of Clendening, who found the back of the net.
Steele scored the Eagles' fourth goal on a penalty kick in the 78th minute, beating Lander goalkeeper Scott Playle, who came on at halftime for starter Matthew Atkinson, to the left side of the goal.
Lander struck first, getting a goal in the 24th minute by Matthew Bell, who chipped a long ball from goalkeeper Matthew Atkinson over the head of Eagle goalkeeper Ryan Platt (Preston, England).
The Eagles had an opportunity to take the lead late in the first half when Clendening got past the Bearcat goalkeeper, but his defended shot was stopped on the goal line by Lander defender Andy Ludewig.
Georgia Southern out-shot Lander 12-2, putting six shots on goal and four in the back of the net. Norton led the Eagles with three shots, two on frame, and one goal. Cox, Steele and LaPan each earned an assist in the contest.
The Eagles next contest is Saturday, Aug. 21, when they play host to Gardner-Webb in their final exhibition before the regular season. The match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
