Conway, S.C. --- The Georgia Southern men's soccer team ran through the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (2-7, 1-2 SBC) 5-0 on Tuesday night (October 4th) for their first Sun Belt win of the season.

Coming into the match, the Eagles have only scored twice in the opening half in their matches so far. However, it was a statement goal and entrance from Zachary Martin. In the 36th minute, a pass into the box from Ty Wilson found Ole Songe, who quickly flicked it to Martin who made a touch that found the back of the net. For Martin, it was his first goal of the season and the first assist of the year for both Songe and Wilson.

The first half saw Southern dominate on offense with a 9-3 shots advantage and 5-2 in corner kicks. While the Eagles shifted the focus to defending early in the second half, A.J. Pama delivered a pass through a tight window to Martin again in the 60th minute to give him a brace after his quality finish past the lonely keeper. Martin collects his first career brace and fourth goal of his Georgia Southern career.

However, some Eagles wanted to copy Martin and that's exactly what Ryan Holmes did in the 71st minute. Kevin Pierre was the one to have the eagle vision as he found a streaking Holmes with open space as he was the winner of a 1v1 battle against the keeper. It was Ryan's first goal since September 24th and gave him and the Eagles more confidence.

Holmes was not done yet as just three minutes later, Harvey Sarajian found space among three defenders and delivered a ball to the left side of the box for Holmes to finish on with his right foot on the right side netting. It's Holmes' eighth goal of the season and third match where he's scored two or more goals.

In now the 83rd minute, the Eagles continued the pressure as after forcing a corner kick, Matthew Dean stepped up to take in. Dean sent a curling ball that magically touched no players and bounced right into the net for his first career goal and the Eagles' fifth on the night. The defense also held strong to keep the clean sheet as the Eagles clinched their first victory in Conway since 1988.

The Eagles amassed 21 shots on the night to Coastal's 13. Southern also put twelve of those shots on target while the Chanticleers only mustered three. Each team had ten fouls and the Eagles held a whopping 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. Goalkeeper Nate Martinez made three saves on the night and gets his fourth clean sheet of the season.

It was a historic night for the Eagles as the last time they have scored five goals and four in a singular half was a 5-3 victory at Jacksonville in 2018. The last win by five or more goals came in a similar 5-0 finish against the Dolphins in 2015.

Conversely, the last time Southern has scored five goals in a conference match was a 5-2 win against Wofford in 2003. With Martin and Holmes' braces on the same night, the last two-brace match came in a 5-0 win against North Florida in 2011.

Georgia Southern (5-1-3, 1-0-1 SBC) has only conference matchups for the rest of the season as they next take on #7 West Virginia on Friday, October 11th back on Bo Pitts Field. Kickoff in Statesboro is set for 7 PM.