ATLANTA – Junior forward Hina Suzuki scored three goals to tie a Georgia State single-game record as the Panthers dominated Truett-McConnell 7-0 Thursday night at the GSU Soccer Complex to open the 2025 season.
Suzuki's hat trick was the first by a Panther since Bree Barley's feat last season and matched the program's single-game record set by six other players. She scored all three of her goals in the second half as GSU erupted for six goals after halftime.
The Panthers wasted little time getting on the board. In just the fourth minute, senior defender Therese Brink blasted in the opener off a well-worked corner kick combination from Aaliyah Faddoul and Sunniyah Tucker. Georgia State continued to press for a second but took a 1-0 lead into the break after outshooting TMU 11-2 in the opening 45 minutes.
Less than three minutes into the second half, Tucker doubled the advantage, slotting home a pass from Faddoul. Moments later, Suzuki opened her 2025 account with a finish from close range, assisted once again by Faddoul, who tallied three assists on the night to set a new career high.
The offensive surge continued just 29 seconds later as Faddoul got on the scoresheet herself, converting a feed from Abby Kilman. Suzuki struck again in the 54th minute to make it 5-0, then completed her record-tying performance in the 67th with a goal assisted by Sienna Leckey.
Freshman defender Elise Nystrom rounded out the scoring in the 73rd minute, also assisted by Leckey, to put the finishing touches on a dominant GSU performance.
Georgia State's defense was equally impressive, holding the Bears without a shot in the second half. Goalkeepers Ariana Anderson and Alondra Iriarte combined for the shutout, with Anderson making two first-half saves. The Panthers finished with a 24-2 advantage in shots and a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
The win marked Georgia State's highest goal total since a 12-0 victory over South Carolina State in 2023.
Georgia State will look to continue its strong start Sunday at 6 p.m. when it travels to Greenville, S.C. to take on Furman.
