Men’s Soccer Drops Heartbreaker at Davidson, 2-1
10/7/2012 1:46:16 AM | Men's Soccer
// BOX SCORE // UPDATED STATS (10-6-12) //
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Georgia Southern Men’s Soccer opened Southern Conference play on Saturday night with a heartbreaking loss at Davidson, 2-1. David Vargas Masis scored his second goal of the season to put GSU up early. The Eagles kept the lead through the halftime interval, but a pair of second half goals, including one with 61 seconds remaining doomed the Eagles.
“We’re all absolutely gutted on how this game ended,” said head coach Kevin Kennedy. “Credit to Davidson for grinding it out and finding a way to win in the end. I’m disappointed with giving up two goals off set pieces, because we played well otherwise.”
Georgia Southern got the conference season started on the right note, scoring first on the Wildcats as David Vargas Masis put the Eagles ahead in the 27th minute on his second goal of the year. Drew Ruggles fed the sophomore who struck the shot into the net from just outside the 18-yard box.
GSU continued to press the Wildcats, out-shooting Davidson 8-6 in the opening half with eight different players taking attempts for the Eagles. Weather, however, would play a part in the second half as heavy rains soaked the pitch in the match’s final half hour.
Davidson leveled the match in the 58th minute as Ryan Malden headed in a corner kick from Peter Paras for his first goal of the season.
With just 1:01 left on the clock and a trip to overtime looking the just result, Davidson scored the game-winner off a free kick from Luke Blades. The attempt from just outside of the box in the corner beat the wall and squirted through the hands of goalkeeper Neal Bates for a 2-1 Davidson victory.
The Eagles close a seven-game road swing on Tuesday night with a trip to Appalachian State. The game starts at 6 p.m. from the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on the outskirts of Boone.
Fans can follow their Eagles at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com or receive short updates at facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics or on Google+ at gplus.to/GSAthletics.
