Eagles Take Shutout Win Over Belmont
9/10/2011 1:35:00 AM | Men's Soccer
NASHVILLE, TENN. - Georgia Southern Men's Soccer opened the 2011 season with a fortnight of scoring, posting 10 goals in the Eagles' best scoring start in over a decade. On Friday night, September 9th, Georgia Southern needed just one goal to down Belmont, 1-0, to close the first day of the Belmont Invitational.
"Tonight was one of those typical 1-0 college soccer matches," said Head Coach Kevin Kennedy. "We put Belmont under a lot of pressure early and didn't have a lot to show for it, but getting a goal before the break really helped us tonight."
Sophomore midfielder Hunter Norton (Evans, Ga.) put the Eagles (2-1-1) on top in the 36th minute off an assist from Drew Ruggles (Manassas, Va.). A free kick deep in the attacking zone by Ruggles got through the wall and allowed Norton to score his second goal off a one-timer in the six-yard box.
Georgia Southern withstood a Belmont (1-3-0) barrage over the final 54 minutes as the Bears posted 19 shots. Goalkeeper Ryan Platt (Preston, England) turned away seven Belmont shots in the match for his first career clean sheet.
"He (Platt) was unbelievable," added Kennedy. "In the second half, Belmont really threw the kitchen sink at us and our defense responded. Ryan (Platt) made three or four highlight reel saves and was the 'Man of the Match' for me."
The Eagles finished the night with 13 shots, including four by Norton. Georgia Southern earned nine corners while allowing eight.
Georgia Southern closes the Belmont Invitational with a Sunday matinee against Lipscomb. The match begins at 12:05 p.m. (CDT) from Belmont's Rose Park.
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