Georgia Southern University
6-9-1, 3-4-0
South Alabama
9-5-1, 4-2-1
Eagles Notch Key 2-1 Win Over South Alabama Friday
10/18/2024 7:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Georgia Southern downs the Jaguars for the first time since 1996
STATESBORO - Smith Cathey's goal in the 70th minute snapped a 1-1 tie and gave Georgia Southern women's soccer a 2-1 Sun Belt Conference victory over visiting South Alabama on Friday evening at Bo Pitts Field.
The Eagles (6-9-1, 3-4 SBC) snapped a two-game slide with the victory and also downed South Alabama (9-5-1, 4-2-1 SBC) for just the second time in program history and the first time since 1996. Georgia Southern returns to action on Thursday, traveling to Georgia State for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Panthers.
Georgia Southern got on the board early in the fifth minute. A scramble in the box resulted in a ball coming back out to the top of the box, where senior Ansleigh Crenshaw took a touch, dribbled in the box, then uncorked a shot that curled inside the left post for her first goal of the season and an early 1-0 lead.
The Eagles would maintain that lead into the break, despite South Alabama owning an 8-6 edge in shots.
South Alabama tied things up in the 59th minute when Irene Campo's point-blank shot on the right side of the six was initially saved by Georgia Southern goalkeeper Katie Oakley, but Bonnie Frost was there to put in the rebound.
In the 70th minute, the Eagles took the lead for good. A free kick from Kendall Wilson just past midfield sailed into the box. South Alabama goalkeeper Allison Luckhardt challenged a pair of players for the ball and punched it out to the top of the box, where Cathey was able to get onto it and quickly sent a shot back in, beating Luckhardt inside the far post for her seventh goal of the season. It's the second straight year in which Cathey has tallied seven goals.
South Alabama had a free kick opportunity with two minutes remaining to the left of the box, but the Eagles were able to exit unscathed.
South Alabama finished the match with a 16-12 edge in shots. Oakley finished with eight saves for the Eagles, while Luckhardt made seven saves for the Jaguars. South Alabama had a 7-3 edge in corner kicks and the Jaguars were whistled for six fouls, compared to five for the Eagles.
"We came into today's match kinda backed into a corner where we needed points," Georgia Southern head women's soccer coach Chris Adams said. "Couldn't be more proud of our kids with the resiliency they showed when things didn't necessarily go our way. We went up 1-0, but we let them back in the game at 1-1. But we had an answer today and we just kept fighting. That's what I'm the most proud of, the togetherness, having each other's back. Hail Southern!"
Team Stats
Ansleigh Crenshaw (1)
ball comes out of box off defender to 30 top of box, finishes inside left post
04:32
Bonnie Frost (2)
Assisted By: Irene Campo
14 point blank shot saved, 15 puts in rebound
58:45
Smith Cathey (7)
long ball punched out by keeper, comes to 13 top of box, finishes inside far post
69:26
