KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Georgia Southern Women's Soccer closed the opening weekend of the 2015 season with a 2-0 loss at Tennessee. The Eagles nearly leveled the score in the final minutes, but an 89th minute goal by the Vols gave the home side their first win of the season.
Tennessee held the majority of possession in the opening minutes and it was the Volunteers who scored the breakthrough goal in the 11th minute. Anna McClung took advantage of a loose rebound in the six yard box to score Tennessee's first goal of the season.
Georgia Southern's offense had plenty of chances throughout the afternoon with nine shots and eight corners in the match. The Eagles kept the possession battle close, trailing 51 percent to 49 percent at halftime with much of the same in the second half.
The Vols, however, got the second goal to effectively end the match in the 89th minute off the head of Amy Neal. She headed a cross from Anna McClung in the six yard box off a quick attack.
Despite allowing two goals, Georgia Southern goalkeeper
Emily Flinn made four saves including some nifty stops which stonewalled clear goalscoring opportunities for the Volunteers.
Senior
Nora El-Shami led the Eagles with five shots and was one of just two Eagles to play all 90 minutes in the contest along with
Alana McShane.
"We did well with what we set out to do today, but it wasn't the result we were looking for," said Head Coach
Brian Dunleavy. "I felt we were lacking urgency and desire in the attacking third, and that is something that we will have to work on. We were good defensively today and we were dominant in possession at times in the first half. I was a little disappointed to be down 1-0 early, but really calmed down well. Overall I think we did well against a very good opponent, but it was not the result we were looking for."
The Eagles are on the road next weekend with a trip through the Carolinas. On Friday, Georgia Southern visits Coastal Carolina for a 7 p.m. match on the Grand Strand before crossing the border to face Charlotte on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
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, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.
