CONWAY, S.C. – Brooke Barrett's goal in the 89th minute lifted the Georgia Southern women's soccer team to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina Friday night in both team's Sun Belt Conference opener at CCU Soccer Stadium.
In a defensive match in which only five shots on goal were recorded, it was the tandem of
Karin Winka and Barrett who teamed up late to help the Eagles secure three points in the conference standings. Winka took a pass from Barrett and controlled it down the left side, barely keeping it in before centering it back to Barrett who had sprinted down the pitch. Barrett juked the defender to the right before spinning back and unloading with her left foot to the bottom-right corner and past Rylee Atteberry for the game winner with just 68 seconds left. For Barrett, it was her first goal of the season and the second of her young career.
Lauren Karinshak was credited with the clean sheet after making two saves on 12 shots, three of which were on goal. It was the second shutout of the season registered by the senior from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
After winning just five matches all of last season, the Eagles' are already at four for this season with nine more matches scheduled in the regular season.
MATCH FACTS
Georgia Southern (4-4-0, 1-0-0 SBC) – 1
Coastal Carolina (2-5-3, 0-1-0. SBC) - 0
SCORING
89' - GS - Brooke Burke - pass centered from
Karin Winka, Barrett with spinning left-footed goal
WHAT INTERIM HEAD COACH JOSH MOFFET SAID:
"Tonight was a very hard-fought victory against a strong Coastal Carolina side, but one that was truly deserved. The team, as they always do, gave everything tonight. It was a full team effort and I couldn't be prouder. Congratulations to
Brooke Barrett on her first goal of the season."
LOOKING AHEAD
Georgia Southern returns to Eagle Field on Sunday to take on Little Rock at 1 p.m. Sunday's game will be broadcast free online through
True Blue Live. The team will celebrate World Soccer Day with discounted tickets for fans wearing international jerseys and post-game autographs.
Tickets for Sunday's match
can be found here.
