JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Kai Bennett scored twice in the first half to lead the Dolphins of Jacksonville to a 3-0 lead over the Georgia Southern men's soccer team at Southern Oak Stadium Monday night. The Eagles were able to make adjustments at the intermission and out-shot the Dolphins 20-16 over the 90 minute span of the game, but several of the shots just missed the target and ricocheted off the crossbar and post. The match against the Dolphins closes out a stretch of four-straight road games to open the 2016 season for the Eagles.

MATCH FACTS
Georgia Southern (2-2-0) – 0
Jacksonville (2-2-0) – 3

SCORING SUMMARY
11' – JU – Ignazio Muccilli unassisted
30' – JU – Kai Bennett unassisted
43' – JU – Kai Bennett unassisted

NOTES
- Georgia Southern closes out a stretch of four games in a row on the road to open the 2016 season. It is the most road games to start a season since the 2011 Eagles played five road contests to commence the season. That squad went 3-1-1 over the first five games, including a 2-1 record in true road contests and 1-0-1 in neutral site matches.
- The five saves by goal keeper Chase Herzog match his season and career-high of five set on Friday at Stetson.

QUOTE FROM COACH MURPHY
"Unfortunately, we gave up a goal off a corner kick very early on in the game and I think that really knocked our confidence back a bit. We're still a team that is getting settled in and while that's not an excuse, there's an emotional turn that comes with giving up goals. I think it gave (Jacksonville) some confidence and it knocked us back a bit and then we struggled to find our rhythm for the rest of the first half. At half time, we made some adjustments and came out with good energy – the output was much better – but we just couldn't find that final touch. We hit the crossbar, hit the post. Unfortunately, it's one of those games that we're just going to have to learn from quickly as we have a very strong JMU team coming to town on Friday. We are looking forward to getting back on the training field and improving."

NEXT UP
Georgia Southern returns home to Eagle Field at Erk Russell Park on Friday, September 9. The Eagles will host James Madison in a 4 p.m. match which will be the first part of a men's and women's doubleheader. The Eagle women play Kennesaw State at 7 p.m.

Following the men's game, head coach John Murphy and the Eagles will offer a free youth boys clinic at Paulson stadium. All boys between the ages 7-14 are invited to receive instruction from the players and coaches as well as participate in an autograph session and meet-and-greet with the Eagles. The clinic will run 6:30 – 8 p.m.


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