Statesboro, Ga. --- The Georgia Southern men's soccer team (10-2-1, 3-2 SBC) defeated Coastal Carolina (1-8, 0-5 SBC) by a 1-0 margin on a cool Friday evening (October 17th).

It was a full on attacking assault from the Georgia Southern forwards from the first whistle, amassing eleven shots across the opening 45 minutes with three of them on target. While the shots and opportunities were there, there were no true good looks at goal in the first half for the Eagles. The defense would still hold strong, only allowing two shots from Coastal Carolina in the first frame as well.

It would not be long after the halftime break when the door finally opened for the Eagles. Not even three minutes into the final frame a foul on Ricky Louis in the box would be reviewed and wound up as a penalty kick for the home squad. Instead of Louis, Zachary Martin stepped up to the spot and delivered a perfect strike into the upper right netting to give Southern the lead. It was also a lead they would not look back on. 

The rest of the match saw the Eagles lean on their stout defense, giving up five shots in the second half with two on target. The main factor was the Eagles' controlling the set pieces, as they would take eleven corner kicks on the night while not allowing the Chanticleers to attempt a single one across the 90 minutes. It was the first time that the Eagles held their opponent to no corner kicks since October 13th, 2023 against Georgia State. It would also be the largest difference in the category since November 3rd, 2004 when the Eagles also took 11 more corner kicks than than opposition.

The Eagles' defense managed to hold out for the win, but it would be a historic result for senior goalkeeper Nate Martinez. With the clean sheet, his now 16 career shutouts makes hims the new program career leader. Along with his family, the former title holder in Adam Webb, who played from 2003-2006, was there to congratulate him. His seven shutouts this year also is tied for fourth in program history.

With the win, it marks the tenth victory in 2025 for the Eagles. It is the program's first double-digit win season since 2006, and the fastest to eclipse the mark since 1997. 

Next, Georgia Southern remains in Statesboro for a potential top-25 clash against Kentucky that could have major implications in the conference table. Kickoff at Bo Pitts field on Fan Appreciation Night is set for this Wednesday, October 22nd, at 7 PM.