STATESBORO, Ga. ? The Georgia State University women's soccer team improved their record against in-state opponents to 2-1 after downing the Georgia Southern Eagles with a strong defensive effort, 1-0, in Statesboro, Friday night.

The Panthers (3-3-1) scored the game-winning goal in the second half when junior forward Nathalie Carter crossed the ball from the left wing to a streaking Kay Harbrueger, a sophomore forward, who drilled the ball into net for her second mark on the season in the 75th minute.

“That shot lifted our defense and allowed them to hold the shut out until the end,” said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli.  “The goal was set up by a series of good passes that sprung Carter free to make the cross to Kay.”

The Panthers played stifling team defense against Georgia Southern (2-4-1), allowing only one shot in the half, three in the entire game and only one shot on goal, which was saved by junior goalkeeper Megan Macdonald, who transferred to State from Georgia Southern this past season.  

“Give credit to Southern for working hard,” said Martelli.  “Their defense shut down some opportunities we had, but we held our focus and cam out good in the second half and played consistent defense and continued to attack. It's good to get a win.  We played well enough to win and Georgia Southern played well enough to stay in the game, but we could have played better today and will have to play well against Georgia [on Sunday].”  

Macdonald split time in goal with sophomore keeper Charlotte Vargo, who started the game for the Panthers.

The Panthers played every athlete that traveled in the game.  The Panthers recorded 13 shots in the game, and four Panthers recorded two shots ? Carter, Harbrueger, junior defender Paige Beyer and senior defender Rosie O'Toole.  

Georgia State next hits the pitch against another in-state rival, Georgia, who is ranked 26th in the nation by Soccerbuzz.com, on Sunday, Sept 17 at 5 p.m.

“This is probably our biggest non-conference game of the year,” said Martelli.  “It's an important game to us that we want to win.”