ATLANTA -- Georgia State forwards Sarah Bennett and Jewel Evans notched two goals apiece to lift the women's soccer team to a 4-2 victory over Old Dominion under rainy conditions in Norfolk, Va. on Sunday afternoon.

The victory improves the Panthers to 9-3-1 on the season and 3-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association, their best start in conference competition since joining the CAA in 2005. After notching two wins this weekend, Georgia State is ranked No. 2 in the CAA rankings, second only to Hofstra (10-1, 4-0).

Evans, who registered five points in the win over Old Dominion (2-7-1, 0-4), also contributed an assist on Bennett's first goal. The scoring duo leads the Panther offense, with both Evans and Bennett producing six goals each thus far this season. Senior forward Stephanie Cuccia was credited with two assists on both of Evans' goals. Junior goalkeeper Kellianne Collins picked up the win by playing all 90 minutes and registering seven saves.

“We defended really well as a group today,” said head coach Domenic Martelli. “The team is playing great defense. I feel like they showed today that when you play great defense, you create so many more offensive opportunities because you put yourself in good supporting positions when you win the ball. When we can play well as a unit defensely, not necessarily just in the back field but at all positions, it creates so many more chances going forward on offense.”

Georgia State came out strong landing the first blow in the contest at the 10:45 mark. Evans crossed the ball from the right side of the pitch to Bennett who fired the ball past the Monarchs' keeper into the right corner of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead that they sustained through the first half.

The Panthers extended their lead to two, 24 minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick off an Old Dominion foul on Evans. Bennett took a successful shot on goal to put Georgia State up 2-0.

The Monarchs responded just over four minutes later when the Panther defense was unable to clear the ball from in front of the goal. Old Dominion's Megan Cozens got a foot on it and took a shot from inside the 18 yard box that got past Collins to put the Monarchs on the board.

Georgia State further extended their lead at the 77:30 mark when Evans drilled a ball passed from Cuccia into the right corner of the goal to increase the score to 3-1. Seven minutes later Cuccia and Evans connected again to nail the fourth goal for the Panthers.

Despite the three point deficit, Old Dominion did not stop fighting and notched their second goal off a header by Victoria Johnson in the final seconds to end the game with a score of 4-2.

“I'm really excited about what we've done this year so far,” said Martelli. “To be 9-3-1 is a great accomplishment for the team. We are succeeding together. We are doing it as a family. We are doing it as a cohesive group. We are doing well in so many different aspects to lead to these great results.”

Georgia State will return home to Panthersville Friday, Oct. 8 to take on James Madison at 7 p.m.