JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Two second half goals lifted the Georgia State women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Jacksonville State Sunday afternoon. Stephanie Kolwicz and Eryka Hawkins found the back of the net for the Panthers, who improve to 2-5-1 this season.
“The first half was a little scattered but we played much better soccer in the second half,” head coach Derek Leader said about the match. “It was fantastic that Stephanie and Eryka were able to score their first goals of the season today. They both scored with very composed finishes.”
Jacksonville State went on the attack first in the second minute. Brianna Boutziouvis tested GSU goalkeeper Brie Haynes with a shot, but Haynes was able to make the save. Haynes made another save in the eighth minute on a shot by Jackie Rush.
Georgia State's first scoring chance of the half came in the 13th minute. Alyssia Feronti fired a shot on goal but JSU's goalie, Taylor Hammond, was there to make the save. Hammond recorded two more saves in the next five minutes on two attempts by Ashley Nagy.
Jacksonville State went back on the attack in the 31st minute, with Kelsey Bright and Carsen Taylor forcing Haynes to make a pair of saves. The half ended with the teams still tied 0-0. JSU held the edge in shots (8-6) and corner kicks taken (4-3) through the first 45 minutes.
Early in the second half, both goalies were called upon to make two saves during the first 15 minutes of the period.
GSU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 67th minute on Kolwicz's first career goal. Nikki Fedele sent a cross into the middle from the left side, and Kolwicz was able to fire it past Hammond.
The Panthers doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Nagy assisted on Hawkins first goal of the season. Nagy played a ball to Hawkins, who was able to beat Hammond one-on-one to give Georgia State a 2-0 advantage.
JSU did not attempt a shot in the final 18 minutes and the Panthers were victorious 2-0. In the second half, both teams took six shots including five on target for Georgia State.
GSU's Haynes earned the shutout win to improve to 2-5-1. She finished with seven saves on 14 shots faced. Jacksonville State's Hammond gets the loss, and she recorded six saves on 12 shots.
“We are ecstatic to close the non-conference schedule with a win,” Leader said after the victory. “We have already begun looking at some results from around the Sun Belt as we prepare for our opener this week.”
The Panthers return home Friday, Sept. 27, to host Louisiana-Lafayette to open GSU's Sun Belt Conference schedule. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
