STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern Women's Soccer took sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt with a 2-0 win over Arkansas State to go 3-0 in the league and match the school record for best league start. Two first half goals were enough for the Eagles who out-shot the Red Wolves 22-5 on the night.
"I think we did well tonight," said Head Coach
Brian Dunleavy. "If you evaluate the entire 90 minutes, I think we were good. If you evaluate the first 45 minutes, we were very good. In the second half I think we came out a little complacent, a little too relaxed, and allowed Arkansas State to get some opportunities. We're happy to be 3-0 in the Sun Belt, but we've got another big game on Sunday against Arkansas Little Rock."
Melinda Lukas got the Eagles on the scoreboard after 16 minutes with an open net shot from four yards out. She got on the end of a
Sydnie Van Curen cross which went past the ASU keeper at the near post and found Lukas for the tap in goal, her fifth of the season.
The Eagles made the lead 2-0 in the 38th minute on a carbon-copy goal.
Stephanie Gratto was on the end of a Taylor Rogers cross from the near side that went past the ASU keeper and right to Gratto in space.
Alli Brashear was also credited with an assist on the play for her through ball to Burns which allowed her to hit the cross first touch.
The Eagles went into cruise control in the second half after leading 14-2 in total shots. The Georgia Southern offense, on pace for a record shooting night, took just eight attempts in the second half.
Goalkeeper
Katie Merson made a couple of nifty saves on the wet pitch to anchor the Eagle defense en route to the team's fourth shutout of the season and the first in league play.
The Eagles are back in action on Sunday when Arkansas Little Rock comes to Eagle Field for a matinee match. Georgia Southern faces the Trojans at Noon from the friendly confines.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics. To purchase tickets call 1-800-GSU-WINS.
