ATLANTA – The Georgia State University women's soccer was unable to score against Colonial Athletic Association foe Northeastern despite a well-played first half and dropped the match, 1-0.
Georgia State (3-9-3, 0-5-1) was the aggressor most of the first preiod, as they played a significant amount of time on Northeastern's half of the field and pressured the Huskies goal. But, despite the offensive effort, the Panthers were unable to score in the half.
Northeastern (8-3-2, 4-1-1) established their offense early in the second half and scored five minutes in when sophomore forward Jenna Lucchessi blistered the ball off the post and into the net from distance off a Siobhan Howard assist in the 50th minute.
The Panthers employed the same second-half scheme they did against Hofstra Friday, playing four forwards, three midfielders and three defenders. The strategy produced a few potential game-tying opportunities, but senior forward
Tenisha Cohen had a shot on an empty net blocked by a defender and forward
Nathalie Carter had a promising scoring opportunity, but Huskie goalkeeper Annie Petrofsky made the save.
“We had one of our best periods all year in the first half. The first half was all us,” said Georgia State head coach
Domenic Martelli. “We felt good at halftime, but they came out and scored. We had some great chances to put balls in after that and tie the game, but we weren't able to get that goal.”
Northeastern had 10 shots on goal in the game, while the Panthers tallied five. The Huskies had a significant advantage in corner kicks, taking eight to Georgia State's one.
Three Panthers recorded two shots in the game, Cohen, Carter and
Rosie O'Toole, and
Amber Collins-Cephers recorded one shot.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Charlotte Vargo started in net for the Panthers and recorded three saves and junior Megan MacDonald played the second half. She recorded six saves, but allowed the game-winning goal.
“The goalkeepers for both teams played well,” said martelli. “Give credit to Northeastern. They were strong, athletic and played a good game.”
The Panthers play four their final five games at home to close the season and coach Martelli hopes to use the opportunity to gain points and improve the team's record before the season's end.
The Panthers return to Atlanta to host a pair of CAA games at Panthersville this weekend. Georgia State will play Drexel on Friday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., and the Panthers next play Delaware on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.
