DELAND, Florida – The Georgia Southern men's soccer team went down to DeLand, Florida Friday evening and did something only three other GS men's soccer teams have done before, winning 2-1 over the home Hatters of Stetson. The Eagles earned a hard-fought victory with a collective effort over a traditionally good Stetson team that entered the weekend ranked seventh in the Southeast region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
The first half of play passed by scoreless for both sides despite the two teams having plenty of chances and looks. Then in the second half,
Adam Abdellaoui broke the scoreless tie in the 50
th minute when he put a header into the back of the net off a cross from
Hunter Loyden.
Emil Laursen then notched what would be the game-winner when he hit a penalty kick, putting the Eagles up 2-0 at the time. Stetson was able to get a goal back late in the 78
th minute to pull within one, but the Eagles held on down the stretch to earn their second win of the young season.
MATCH FACTS
Georgia Southern (2-1-0) – 2
Stetson (1-1-1) – 1
SCORING SUMMARY
50' – GS –
Adam Abdellaoui header goal off cross into box from
Hunter Loyden.
69' – GS –
Emil Laursen penalty kick.
78' – SU – Luke Ferreira from 10 yards out, dead center. Gabriel Diniz with the assist.
NOTES
- The 2-1 win marks the first win over Stetson in DeLand for the Eagles in nearly 11 years. The last win was a 3-2 overtime victory on September 23, 2005. It is just the fourth win for Georgia Southern over Stetson in DeLand in the 27
th meeting between the two programs and evens the series at 12-12-3.
- Georgia Southern and Stetson were even 12-12 on shots with each taking six on goal. The Eagles held a 5-4 advantage in saves and a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
- Abdellaoui's goal in the 50
th minute was the ninth of his career. Loyden's assist on Abdellaoui's goal was the first of his career.
- Laursen's goal off a penalty kick in the 69
th minute was the second of his career.
- Sophomore goal keeper
Chase Herzog made five saves and played all 90 minutes between the pipes to improve to 2-1.
- Freshman
Rasmus Juul made his first career start and
Filip Davidovski earned his first collegiate playing time of the year. Three true freshmen started the game for the Eagles, including reigning Sun Belt Conference Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week
Justin Little,
Sander Wang and Juul. Five true freshmen earned playing time in the game, including Davidovski and
Josh Bronstorph.
QUOTE FROM COACH MURPHY
"It was a great performance tonight by everyone. This was a very difficult win on the road against a resolute opponent. I thought from the outset that Stetson had a lot of energy, we had to soak up quite a bit, but our goal keeper,
Chase Herzog, was fantastic and made several great saves. Then in the second half, we came out well and
Adam Abdellaoui scored a great goal off
Hunter Loyden's cross to go up 1-0 and we started to come into the game more and more. Adam also took a hard foul and
Emil Laursen dispatched the penalty kick very well. The end was a little hairy, but we got some resolute defending and a fantastic collective effort. Our back four of
David Rhoades, Emil,
Justin Little and Hunter were fantastic all game long. But it's onward and upward for us as we move our focus towards Jacksonville over the next couple of days."
NEXT UP
The Eagles get two days off thanks to Hurricane Hermine before they travel to Jacksonville to take on the Dolphins of Jacksonville University on Monday, September 5. The game was pushed back a day as Jacksonville's weekend was impacted by the hurricane. First kick is scheduled for 7 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 visiting GSEagles.com/Tickets.
