WILMINGTON, N.C. – Georgia Southern Women's Soccer parlayed the momentum of a win in the season opener to push two goals past UNC Wilmington and improve to 2-0 on the season on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles travel next weekend for a tournament in Auburn, Ala. against Indiana and the Tigers.

Georgia Southern benifited from a UNCW own goal in the 70th minute as a cross from Melinda Lukas was bungled into the net by the Seahawks. A Nora El-Shami penalty kick in the 84th minute gave the visitors some breathing room as Georgia Southern posted the shutout victory.

"That is a good result for us," said Head Coach Brian Dunleavy. "UNCW is a well coached, solid team that has speed and talent up front. They were a handful, but our back four, and in particular Kaite Merson, stepped up to the challenge. We did well winning balls and hitting them on the counter attack. Great team effort, and a hard-earned win."

Georgia Southern's goalkeeper, Katie Merson, withstood a barrage of 13 shots and made five saves to post her 15th career shutout.  

The Eagles only recorded one shot in the opening period of play, but responded in the second half by pouring the pressure on the Seahawk defense. That pressure paid off in the 70th minute when a mistake by UNCW put Georgia Southern ahead, 1-0. A cross into the box by Lukas struck a UNCW defender and deflected into the net for the Eagles' breakthrough goal.

Georgia Southern doubled its advantage in the 84th minute as El-Shami posted her second goal of the season, this time from the penalty spot. El-Shami earned the penalty by splitting the central defenders and earning a clean path to goal. She was hauled down by the last defender, forcing the referee's whistle. The junior buried the spot kick and secured the 2-0 Eagle victory.

Georgia Southern is back on the road next weekend with a pair of games on the plains of Alabama. The Eagles face Indiana on Friday afternoon before playing the home side, Auburn, on Sunday in a game that can be seen on SEC Network+.

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.