BOONE, N.C. - The Georgia Southern men's soccer team saw its 2019 season come to a close with a 4-0 loss to Georgia State in the first round of the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Championships on Wednesday afternoon at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium in Boone, N.C.

The Eagles and the Panthers were meeting for a sixth straight time in the Sun Belt Tournament. Fifth-seeded Georgia State (11-4-3) advances to the semifinals to face top-seeded Central Arkansas on Friday, while fourth-seeded Georgia Southern (7-9-2) falls in the first round of the tournament for the first time since joining the league in 2014. Georgia State also earns a bonus point in the 2019 Southern vs. State Rivalry Series matchup, evening the standings now at 2.0-2.0.

On a chilly November afternoon in Boone with temperatures barely out of the 20s, Georgia State immediately tested the Eagles defense by recording three shots on goal within the first 20 minutes of action. Aris Briggs would put the Panthers on top in the 25th minute with a goal and an early 1-0 lead, which would hold into the break. 

In the second half, the Panthers doubled the lead in the 60th minute on a goal by Matthew Fearnley. Georgia State then clinched the match with a pair of goals within a 71-second span by Briggs and Tristan Jumeau.

In all, Georgia State outshot Georgia Southern by a 14-8 margin, including a 11-1 edge in shots on goal. Jose Bomfim tied a season-high with seven saves for the Eagles.

Georgia Southern says goodbye to six seniors - defenders Gonzalo Talavera and Justin Little, midfielders Sander Wang and David Rhoades, forward Azaad Liadi and goalkeeper Conner Washer - from this season's squad but the Eagles will return seven starters and 25 players overall for 2020.

"We're disappointed in the way we ended the season," Georgia Southern Head Men's Soccer Coach John Murphy said. "But I want to thank our six seniors for everything they've done during their time with us. Azaad has been here the shortest, Conner and Gonzalo have been with us for 3 years, while Sander, Justin and David have been here for their entire four years. We have a bitter taste in our mouths now, but these seniors have left the program in a better place and for that, we will always be grateful."