BOILING SPRINGS, NC - The Georgia Southern women's soccer team scored the first goal in overtime to win Friday night's game against Gardner-Webb, 4-3. 

The first 25 minutes of the game were scoreless despite both Georgia Southern and Gardner-Webb taking three shots each. 

Stina Kleppe of Gardner-Webb made the first goal of the game. Kleppe was voted as Attacking Player of the Year in 2018 by Big South Conference coaches.

Marcela Montoya and Frida Brattum both had outstanding showings with two goals each for the Eagles. Montoya put Georgia Southern on the board in the 33rd minute with an assist from a cross by Brattum.

Gardner-Webb responded with 44 seconds remaining in the first half with a goal by Aubrie Jackson bringing the halftime score to 1-2 with Gardner-Webb in the lead.
Montoya made the first goal of the second half and her second goal of the night in the 57th minute. Dani Coumbs passed in from the corner to Kristin Sandifer who passed to Montoya for the goal, creating a tie game.

Kleppe scored again for Gardner-Webb in the 65th minute. That goal was quickly responded to by Georgia Southern just three minutes later. Brattum scored her first goal of the night off assists from Montoya and Ester Hardardottir.

Regulation time ended with Georgia Southern and Gardner-Webb tied 3-3. The game went into overtime with the golden goal being scored by Brattum with an assist from Karin Winka.

Georgia Southern and Gardner-Webb have now played each other five times. The Eagles lead the series with four wins. 

The Eagles are now 2-1 on the season and return to Statesboro Sunday to play in front of a home crowd against Presbyterian.

MATCH FACTS
Georgia Southern (2-1-0) – 4
Gardner-Webb (0-3-0) - 3

SCORING
25' – GWU – Stina Kleppe (assisted by Maddie Turlington)
33' – GS – Marcela Montoya (assisted by Frida Brattum)
44' – GWU – Aubrie Jackson (assisted by Stina Kleppe)
57' – GS – Marcela Montoya (assisted by Dani Coumbs and Kristin Sandifer)
65' – GWU – Stina Kleppe (penalty kick)
68' – GS – Frida Brattum (assisted by Marcela Montoya and Ester Hardardottir)
95' – GS – Frida Brattum (assisted by Karin Winka)
 
NOTES
Goalkeeper Lauren Karinshak had four saves on the night.
Gardner-Webb outshot Georgia Southern 18-12

WHAT INTERIM HEAD COACH JOSH MOFFET SAID

"Tonight showed what this team is all about. To be in a losing position 3 times throughout a game and to come back and win it in overtime takes real character. The team, as they have in all the games this year, pulled together and fought until the final whistle. Defensively we weren't at our best, but we can be very proud of our attacking efforts. Our focus now turns to Sunday's game in front of Eagle Nation."

 
NEXT UP
The Eagles play their first regular season game of the year in Statesboro at Eagle Field. The game will be against Presbyterian at 1 p.m. on Sunday. It is Faculty and Staff Appreciation day. One free general admission ticket will be granted with a valid staff ID.
Tickets for Sunday's game can be found here. Season tickets are still available here – one ticket will get fans into both men's and women's home matches.