LAFAYETTE, LA. – Georgia Southern picked up a 2-1 win over UL Lafayette on Sunday afternoon to stay top of the Sun Belt Conference following the opening weekend of league play. The Eagles needed two second half goals to take the win. Georgia Southern is back at home next weekend with Arkansas State and UALR coming to Statesboro for games on Friday and Sunday.
Georgia Southern (7-2-1, 2-0 SBC) is off to its best start to a league season since 2000 when the Eagles won their opening three games to league play. UL Lafayette is 5-5-1 overall and 0-2 in Sun Belt play after being picked second in the preseason poll.
Elizabeth Manuel put the Cajuns up 1-0 on 28 minutes with a run past the defense. She was able to shoot past goalkeeper
Katie Merson at the edge of the danger area for an early lead.
"In the first half we asked our players to drop in deeper and let them keep possession across their back four," said Head Coach
Brian Dunleavy. "We were giving them too much time and space. At halftime we switched to full pressure and that caused them a lot of problems. From there we were more effective, and kept possession really well."
After the halftime break,
Sydnie Van Curen scored her first goal of the season to level the match, 1-1. Van Curen headed home a cross from sophomore defender
Alana McShane. The assist for McShane came on a big day for her native Northern Ireland which celebrated Europe's Ryder Cup win on Sunday.
The Eagles took a 2-1 lead in the 74th minute off the boot of
Cori Dulmage who scored on a free kick. It was her first goal of the season and came from 25 yards. Her attempt on frame struck the bottom of the crossbar and spun into the net for what would prove to be the game-winning efford.
"That second half was the best 45 minutes we've played all year," said Dunleavy. "We scored two great goals.
Cori Dulmage was excellent today, and her game winning free kick was fantastic. I am very proud of the team, and two conference road wins are huge. I am looking forward to Friday night's match against Arkansas State at home."
Goalkeeper
Katie Merson made three saves between the pipes to pick up her seventh win of the season.
Georgia Southern is back at home next weekend with Arkansas State and UALR. The Eagles face the Red Wolves on Friday at 7 p.m. and face the Trojans on Sunday at Noon.
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
