Eagles Score In Final Second For 2-1 Win Over Mountaineers
10/9/2011 9:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. - A last second goal by Alex Murphy gave Georgia Southern a thrilling 2-1 victory over Appalachian State in a chaotic scene at Eagle Field on Sunday afternoon (October 9th). The Eagle striker lashed a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced in with 1.3 seconds remaining. Georgia Southern's second victory in two matches this weekend improves the Eagles to 4-7-2 and 2-3-1 in SoCon play. The Mountaineers fall to 5-8-1 overall, and 1-4-1 in league play.
"This was actually not one of our better performances," said Head Coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel. "We failed to match their intensity for much of the first half. I feel like the wind had something to do with that, but we battled back in the second half. After going down a goal, we battled on and it showed the perseverance of our team. With that goal with 1.3 seconds left in the match is something really special and something we will remember for a very long time."
The Mountaineers strung a number of passes together in the final third and scored the match's first goal in the 77th minute on a shot by Katy Dodd from the top of the six-yard box. She was fed the cross by Sydney Hill, who was credited with an assist.
The Mountaineer goal snapped a 277 minute goalless streak for GSU goalkeeper Katie Merson (Albuquerque, N.M.), which spanned three matches. Merson finished the afternoon with seven saves.
The Eagles, however, answered with just minutes remaining in regulation with a set piece goal by Carlee Storey (Medford, Ore.). Her header redirected a free kick by Paige Grant (Albuquerque, N.M.) that was taken from midfield, just in front of the Eagle bench.
A throw in by Sydney Keer (Gambrills, Md.) sparked the attack as the Eagles pressed forward in the waning seconds. A flick on gave the ball to Murphy, who dribbled the ball forward as the seconds ticked down. She ripped the shot, which bounced off the crossbar and in for the game-winning goal.
The entire team spilled onto the field for the celebration which was postponed slightly until Appalachian State could take the kickoff with 1.3 seconds remaining. The Mountaineers touched the ball and the clock ran out.
Georgia Southern looks for its third-straight victory on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 13th) at The Citadel. The Eagles face the Bulldogs in Charleston at 4 p.m.
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