Men’s Soccer Wins Battle of Eagles Over Winthrop, 3-2
9/1/2012 12:01:26 AM | Men's Soccer
// BOX SCORE // UPDATED STATS (8-31-12) //
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Georgia Southern Men’s Soccer earned its first win of the year with a 3-2 victory over Winthrop on Friday in the opening match of the 2012 SoCon/Big South Challenge. Winthrop produced a pair of equalizers, but it was Reed Norton’s second goal of the year in the 75th minute that sealed the win for GSU.
“There was a definite improvement from last week to today in terms of having a positive mindset and going after chances,” said Head Coach Kevin Kennedy. “Anytime you can score three goals, you’ve got to be happy with that. I was especially proud of the way that we found a way to win after Winthrop tied it up twice.”
Georgia Southern went up 1-0 in the 21st minute on a penalty kick from senior Joe Hughes. The Eagles earned a corner kick and delivered the ball into the box where Winthrop handled the ball for the Eagles’ first penalty kick of the year. Hughes buried the spot kick for his first goal of the season.
Nine minutes into the second half, Winthrop posted its first equalizer of the afternoon from Adam Brundle.
In the 66th minute, Southern went back on top 2-1 off the boot of Witt Carlisle. Solid built-up play by Nick Lane and Reed Norton matriculated the ball forward, giving Norton the chance to cross the ball into the area. A well-timed run by Carlisle put the junior in position to push the ball home for a GSU goal.
Winthrop equalized again in the 72nd minute as Sean Coomer got on the scoresheet off an assist from Mason Lavalett on a well-timed run.
Southern’s game winning goal came nearly four minutes later as Reed Norton posted his second collegiate goal. Drew Ruggles took a long throw in that was flicked on by Seth Prieto. The Winthrop goalkeeper attempted to play the ball and only got the slightest of touches on the ball. The ball went towards the far post where Norton was on hand to push the ball across the line and cement the GSU win.
Between the pipes, Jack Falle got the win by making nine saves off 15 total attempts by Winthrop.
The Eagles close out the 2012 SoCon/Big South Challenge on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Gardner-Webb. The contest will be played at Wofford’s Snyder Field.
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