FLORENCE, S.C. – An 88th minute goal from junior transfer Jessica Scales pushed Georgia Southern (1-0-0) past Francis Marion (0-1-0) in the 2014 women's soccer season opener for both schools. Next up for the Eagles is a Sunday matinee at UNC Wilmington.

Scales, playing in her debut game at Georgia Southern, displayed her eye for goal by posting the game-winning tally and adding to her tab of 73 goals over the last two seasons at Louisburg College (NJCAA). Junior Nora El-Shami had a big impact in the game taking nine shots (the second-highest total in Georgia Southern history) and scored an equalizing goal in the 59th minute.

"I am proud of our team's ability to come from behind on the road tonight," said Head Coach Brian Dunleavy. "We did not do good enough of a job in establishing a tempo or rhythm in the first half. We just weren't clicking, but we still scraped out a result. It is early in the season, and we need to continue improving and establish a consistent level of play. I'm confident that our players will achieve that."

Georgia Southern ruled the run of play in the opening 45 minutes, but was unable to find the net despite six shots. The Patriots struggled to get things going offensively early and did not record a shot in the opening period.

Four minutes into the second half, however, Francis Marion was able to score the breakthrough goal to take a 1-0 lead. Channel Harris scooped up a long rebound from five yards out and was able to score the goal off the assist from Elizabeth Asare.

Ten minutes later El-Shami posted the equalizer with an unassisted effort. The junior worked the ball up off the right flank and dribbled in, earning space off her marker inside the penalty area. El-Shami shot left-footed and beat the FMU netminder at the far post to level the score at 1-1.

With extra time looming close on the horizon, Georgia Southern got the game-winner from Scales with 2:10 remaining in regulation. Sydney Keer earned the assist by crossing the ball into the middle of the box where Scales flicked the header. The Francis Marion goalkeeper got her hands on the ball, but she was unable to keep the ball from going into the net.
 
Georgia Southern's netminder Katie Merson made her return to the lineup after missing the 2013 season due to injury. The senior keeper picked up her 18th career victory in goal and was called on to make three saves off six Francis Marion shots.

El-Shami fired early and often for the Eagles, posting nine of the team's 18 shots. The shots total was the second-most in school history, two off Tara Chaisson's 11 shots in 1996 against Georgia State.

The Eagles continue their weekend road swing on Sunday afternoon with a trip to UNC Wilmington. The match starts at 1 p.m. from the southeastern coast of North Carolina.

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.