VIDEO: Courtney Collins">Senior Day interview with Courtney Collins
VIDEO: Senior Day interview with Morgan Springer
VIDEO: Senior Day interview with Carlee Storey
VIDEO: Senior Day interview with Zoe Van GorderPHOTO GALLERY: Georgia Southern Senior Day -- Eagles 2, Wofford 1 -- 10-21-2012//
BOX SCORE (PDF) //
UPDATED STATS (PDF) //
STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern’ Women’s Soccer snapped a five-match winless streak on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 win over Wofford on Senior Day. Freshmen Nora El-Shami and Stephanie Gratto both scored goals in the contest as the Eagles stayed eligible for the 2012 SoCon Tournament entering the final round of conference play on Wednesday.
“I felt like there was a lot of emotion going into today’s game,” said head coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel. “Senior day tends to do that. The game had a real ebb and flow with each team taking control for 10 minutes, and then it switched back. It was good to see our offense scoring goals, but I’m frustrated to see us give up a goal late.”
Before kickoff, Georgia Southern honored its class of four seniors. Courtney Collins, Morgan Springer, Carlee Storey and Zoe Van Gorder were each recognized for their contributions to Georgia Southern in their respective careers.
Freshman Nora El-Shami got the scoring started in the 17th minute when she struck a ball that was laid off for her by Courtney Collins. The Shot from 23 yards sailed past a diving Wofford goalkeeper for a 1-0 Eagle lead.
Early in the second half, Stephanie Gratto doubled the Georgia Southern advantage with an opportunistic goal. Alex Murphy, El-Shami and Gratto combined for a build-up that looked to end as Wofford’s defense won the ball off El-Shami while she was on the ground with possession. The defender, however, gave too hard of a touch and Gratto was there to take advantage. She dribbled the ball into the penalty area and scored the goal from eight yards for her fourth tally of the year and a 2-0 GSU lead.
Wofford gave Georgia Southern a nervy final 12 minutes as the Terriers scored in the 78th minute. Annika Jansson found Mary Beth Bleekrode for the goal, cutting GSU’s advantage to 2-1.
The Eagle defense responded by shutting down the Wofford offense in the final minutes of the match. Goalkeeper Katie Merson made seven saves in the contest as Wofford out-shot the Eagles 12-11 with an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal.
With the help of Western Carolina defeating The Citadel 3-2 in Cullowhee, Georgia Southern stayed alive in the race for the final spot in the SoCon Tournament. The Eagles need a win in their regular season finale as well losses or draws by The Citadel and Western Carolina in their respective finales to earn the eighth seed in the 2012 SoCon Tournament.
“I’m happy to still be alive for the playoffs,” added Vanderspiegel. “I think the playoffs are where our team should be year-in and year-out.”
GSU is at home on Wednesday night for the 2012 regular season finale against Davidson. The Eagles and Wildcats kick off from Eagle Field at 7 p.m.
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