Spartanburg, S.C. (September 1, 2009)
Stephan Minyono and
Yasser Majluf each score a goal to give Georgia State men's soccer a road victory 2-1 against USC-Upstate on Tuesday afternoon. Georgia State wins its regular season opener on the road to push their winning streak against the Spartans to three straight. The Panthers, opening the season on the road for the first time since they defeated number six Clemson 2-1, are looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2003 when they travel to Presbyterian on Saturday Sept. 5.
Georgia State battled in the first half of play holding USC-Upstate to no shots on goal keeping the score even at half time. The Panthers had a couple of opportunities in the first half when in the 18th minute of play senior Brett Cummins fired a shot that went wide of the net for the Panthers. Also in the first half sophomore Jacob Hamilton had a chance in the 44th minute attacking to the net when he fired a shot that went high over the cross bar.
The Panthers struck first in the 52nd minute when senior Stephan Minyono stole the ball at the top of the box and blasted past the Spartans keeper Pat Regna to put the Panthers in front 1-0. Minyono, off to a strong start for the Panthers, scores his first goal of the season.
Georgia State tallied again 13 minutes later when Minyono made a nice pass from the left box to his teammate freshman Yasser Majluf who scored from the center box to give the Panthers a 2-0 advantage.
"It was an exciting match for us against USC-Upstate, they are much improved from last season and we got a great effort from our senior Stephan (Minyono)," said Head Coach Kerem Daser. "It was great to see how our freshmen performed especially Yasser (Majluf) who scored a nice goal for us."
The Spartans answered in the 84th minute when Felipe Grana scored finding the upper right corner of the net. Starting goal keeper for the Panthers Vincent Foermer was solid in net making one save and only allowing the one goal in the 84th minute. Foermer, from Seevetal, Germany, earned his first collegiate victory in his first game starting.
"We were very excited to get the road victory but we know it is a long season with still a lot of work to be done." It was a total team win and we look forward to the match versus Presbyterian this weekend."
Georgia State received plenty of support in the match with six freshmen starters making their first appearances for the Panthers. The Panthers defensive was equally as good only allowing two shots on goal against USC-Upstate.
The leadership of the upperclassmen like senior Brett Cummins, sophomore Christopher Peacos, and sophomore Ayokunle Lumpkin proved to be the difference maker in the match.
Georgia State finished the contest with seven shots and will look to continue its solid road play when they travel to Clinton, S.C. to take on Presbyterian on Saturday Sept. 5 starting at 5 p.m.
