NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Behind goals by Rashid Alarape, Tyler Alexander and Stephen McGill, the Georgia State men's soccer team defeated Lipscomb 3-1 Friday night in Nashville to extend the Panthers' winning streak to four. Alarape scored the opener, Alexander bagged the game-winner and McGill added a third in the victory.

“This was a huge win,” head coach Brett Surrency said. “Not only does it keep the win streak going but Lipscomb is a very good team. It was great to get a victory on the road after a long day of travel and this is great to keep the team's confidence high.”

GSU went on the attack first in the seventh minute when Aaron Jones fired a shot on goal. However, his effort was saved by Lipscomb goalkeeper Micah Bledsoe. The Panthers did break through to grab a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. A loose ball deflected off Bledsoe and fell to Alarape, who scored his second goal in the past two matches.

The Bison threatened in the 14th minute, but Georgia State keeper CJ Cochran saved Shpend Rexhepi shot. Over the next 11 minutes GSU tested Bledsoe twice but the Lipscomb keeper made both saves.

• First in the 18th minute Conor Acheson fired a shot on target but his attempt was denied.
• Then in the 26th minute Jones tested Bledsoe again but he could not extend the Panthers' lead.

In the 37th minute, Luke Gearin sent a header on goal but Cochran made the save to protect Georgia State's advantage. There were no more scoring chances in the final eight minutes and the first half ended with the Panthers' ahead 1-0.

• Lipscomb had a 5-4 shot advantage over GSU in the first half but the Panthers took the only corner kick.

Georgia State doubled its lead less than two minutes into the second half when Alexander scored his first goal of the season. McGill fired a shot on goal that was saved by Bledsoe but the rebound fell to Alexander who slotted it into the back of the net for his first career goal.

Then in the 49th minute the Panthers were awarded a penalty kick after a Bison foul in the 18-yard box. McGill calmly stepped to the spot and scored past Bledsoe to extend GSU's lead to 3-0.

Four minutes later Cochran was forced to make another save on a header by Gearin. Then in the 73rd minute, Lipscomb pulled a goal back when Gearin scored with a header off Ivan Alvarado's free kick.

The Bison had six chances over the final minutes of the second half but none were on target and Georgia State secured the 3-1 win.

• The Panthers were outshot 14-12 in the match but held an 8-4 edge in shots on target.
• GSU improves to 4-3-0 overall and has now won four straight after a slow start to the season.
• Georgia State's next match is Tuesday, Sept. 30 against South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

“We are starting to play better all-around soccer,” Surrency said. “Our movement in the attacking third is sharper. It is a combination of things, but the best thing about this win streak is that every game a different player steps up. Tonight it was Andy Anglade, who played his best match ever in a Georgia State uniform.”

“We will give the guys a rest tomorrow but it will a quick turnaround to face South Carolina on Tuesday,” Surrency said. “We will continue to take the same approach as we have in the past four matches. However, we will remain humble because we know that anything can happen on any given day. Hopefully the team can keep playing at this high level and we will continue to get results.”