Eagles Down Lander in Exhibition Contest
8/20/2012 10:37:30 PM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern finished the 2012 Men’s Soccer preseason on a winning note with a 1-0 victory over Lander on Monday afternoon at Eagle Field. GSU scored in the 43rd minute off the boot of Thomas Hamilton to take the tune-up win. Georgia Southern opens the 2012 regular season on Sunday afternoon at UAB
“I thought we were able to hold the ball better and create better chances tonight,” said Head Coach Kevin Kennedy. “It is always good to go into the regular season on a winning note. Today we tried to focus on getting shots on frame and finishing our chances. That focus paid off with 16 total shots and the goal.”
The teams started the match a half hour early due to rains expected in the Statesboro area later in the afternoon.
Preseason All-SoCon honoree Hunter Norton scored Georgia Southern’s first goal of the preseason just before the halftime break. Reed Norton played the ball to Rocco Bagley who took a shot which rebounded wide to Norton for an easy shot into the net.
The Eagles controlled the possession throughout the match as the GSU defense held Lander to just one shot on the afternoon. The Eagles tallied 17 shots with seven on frame in the match.
GSU’s final chance of the afternoon came when Hunter Norton drilled in a free kick from 25 yards that hit the crossbar.
Following the 90 minutes of regulation play, the teams returned the pitch for an additional 20 minutes of action as the Eagles continued to prepare for the season opener.
Southern opens the 2012 regular season on Sunday afternoon with a trip to No. 23 UAB. The match from Birmingham starts at 2 p.m. (ET).
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