STATESBORO, Ga. – On a cool and brisk Sunday afternoon in Statesboro the Eagles and Red Wolves faced off in the final match of the weekend for both teams. The Eagles were coming off a rain soaked Friday, where they fell to the Jaguars in one of the oddest matches at Eagle Field.

The Eagles improved to 4-6-1 on the season and got a vital 3 points in the conference improving to 2-3-0. Arkansas State opened up the scoring in the 25^th minute when Sarah Sodoma finished off a Maggie Ertl ball giving the Red Wolves an early lead.

The Blue and White's defense tightened up and allowed the offense to prosper. Frida Brattum leveled the score at one a piece in the 30^th minute. Paige Hoover crossed the ball into the box allowing Brattum to control it, take a touch, and finish with authority into the back of the net.

Less than 10 minutes later Brattum scored what would later be the game winner in the 38^th minute. Tyler Gordon played a through ball to Brattum, who was able to beat the keeper into the bottom corner and give the Eagles the lead heading into the half.

The Eagles defense would hold tight the rest of the afternoon to secure the victory and 3 points for the Eagles. The Red Wolves threatened late with multiple free kicks and corners in the final 15 minutes, but the Eagles defense never broke and Lauren Karinshak had some timely saves.

The Blue and White will be back in action next weekend on the road for the final time this season. The Eagles will take on Appalachian State and Troy to conclude the road portion of the schedule, before returning home for the final four games of the season.

MATCH FACTS
Arkansas State (6-5-1) (2-3-1) – 1
Georgia Southern (4-6-1) (2-3-0) – 2

SCORING
25' – AST – Sarah Sodoma (6) (Maggie Ertl)
30' – GS – Frida Brattum (3) (Paige Hoover)
38' – GS – Frida Brattum (4) (Tyler Gordon)

NOTES
- Lauren Karinshak had two saves on the afternoon, bringing her season total to 44.
- Frida Brattum took sole possession of goals scored for the Eagles with two on the afternoon and four on the season.
- Arkansas State played both keepers during the match with Megan McClure starting the game and Kelsey Ponder closing it out.
- Arkansas State held the advantage in corners 6-1.
- Georgia Southern outshot Arkansas State 5-3 in the first half, but the Red Wovles outshot the Eagles in the game 10-7.

WHAT HEAD COACH BRIAN DUNLEAVY SAID
"It was great to get a win today. It was a hard fought game. There wasn't much beauty in it, but that's okay, three points was vital for us. I have a ton of respect for Arkansas State, Brian Dooley has done a great job. They were athletic, tough to defend, and very hard working. Our players rose to the occasion. We defended admirably late in the game. There were numerous corners and free kicks in the last 15 minutes. It's tough in a Sunday game to maintain the focus and strength required to defend and I'm proud of our players for grinding it out. It was good to come from behind, we went down a goal and got two right back."
 
NEXT UP
The Eagles will head to Boone, North Carolina and Troy, Alabama to compete against Appalachian State and Troy.
 
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