Men’s Soccer Blanks UNC Asheville, 3-0

Sunday, September 14

Statesboro

1:30 PM

Georgia Southern University

3-2-0

UNC Asheville

1-3-1

UNC Asheville

Georgia Southern

9/14/2014 5:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Eagles take second place in Springhill Suites Invitational

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Men's Soccer (3-2-0) picked up its second victory of the weekend on Sunday with a 3-0 romp over UNC Asheville (1-3-1) to claim second place in this weekend's Springhill Suites Invitational. For the tournament tallied eight scores from six different scorers.

Emmanuel Raji put the Eagles up 1-0 after just 10 minutes with his third strike of the season. A through ball down the right flank from Jeremy Rector freed Raji 1v1 with the keeper. The center forward chipped the keeper for his second goal of the weekend and a spot on the all-tournament team.

"Getting the early goal was good because it settled our guys down," said Head Coach Kevin Kennedy. "Asheville caused us some problems, but we worked that out at halftime and we got two goals in the second half."

As the teams were set to return to the field after halftime, lightning in the area delayed the proceedings by a half hour as spectators were cleared from the stadium.

After the stoppage with the specter of weather still on the horizon the Eagles got two more goals in the 66th and 68th minutes to put the match out of reach.

Jeremy Rector got a second-chance goal in the 66th minute when his shot was blocked at the top of the box, but a back-heel flick from Rocco Bagley gave him room for a follow-up shot from the penalty spot which bulged the twine for a 2-0 Eagle advantage.

Three minutes later Bagley got his head on a great cross from Eric Dinka to make the lead 3-0. Bagley's first goal of the season came from five yards out as Dinka delivered the short cross from the touch line.

With four saves over the 90 minutes of play, Jack Falle earned his first shutout since 2012. The junior netminder overcame a first half injury scare when a UNCA attacker clattered into Falle.

Raji headlined the Eagles' selections to the all-tournament team with two goals and an assist while Rector claimed his spot with a goal and two assists. Rounding out the team was Falle with two victories between the pipes.

Mercer captured the Springhill Suites Invitational Championship on goal difference over the Eagles who finish in second place. Florida Atlantic took third place, while UNC Asheville finished fourth.

The Eagles have eight days off before returning to the pitch on Tuesday, September 23rd with a trip to Presbyterian College.

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.

Springhill Suites Invitational All-Tournament Team
Ian Antley – Mercer
Will Bagrou – Mercer
Patrick Darby – Florida Atlantic
Jordan Duru – Mercer
Paul Egle – UNC Asheville
Jack Falle – Georgia Southern
Ryan Prince – Florida Atlantic
Emmanuel Raji – Georgia Southern
Jeremy Rector – Georgia Southern
Ashanti Samuels – Mercer
Andrew Sotak – UNC Asheville