09/03/2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Simmons
Women's Soccer and Cross Country/Track & Field SID
404.651.4629
athmdsx@langate.gsu.edu
MACON, Ga. – The Georgia State University women's soccer team recorded its second-straight shut out as they downed the Mercer Bears, 2-0, at the Mercer LQ Cup in Macon, Ga.
The Panthers struck first when senior forward Lauren Chavez scored on a penalty kick in the 42nd minute. The free shot was set up when senior forward Tenisha Cohen pushed a through pass to freshman forward Mary Kate Fisher just behind the defenders, when she was tackled hard in the box, drawing the penalty.
“We created good chances and had a good number of shots today,” said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli. “We played good soccer, but it wasn't easy. It's hard to beat teams coming hard at you and Mercer played 90 tough minutes. They're a well coached team that plays good defense.”
Georgia State (2-1-1) put the game away with a second goal in the 70th minute in the second stanza. Sophomore forward Kay Harbrueger snuck behind the defense to a touch the ball past Mercer's keeper off a deep punt from Georgia State junior goalie Megan Macdonald.
Georgia State controlled the pace in the first half, recording nine shots as the defense only allowed three, of which none were on target. Harbrueger launched four shots in the half, while Chavez recorded a pair.
The Panther defense also left their imprint on the second half, limiting mercer to only five shots in the period. Mercer (0-4) had opportunities, including three corner kicks, but Macdonald recorded three saves to preserve the shut out.
Panther goalkeepers Charlotte Vargo and Macdonald split time between the posts, as they did in the first game of the LQ Cup when Georgia State defeated Tennessee Tech, 1-0. Of note, Georgia State's defense held both opponents faced in the LQ Cup to no shots on goal in the first half; therefore sophomore keeper Vargo, who started both contests, recorded no saves. Macdonald recorded nine saves in the games.
The Panther's defense, led by junior captain Christa Mann, allowed only 19 shots in the LQ Cup. Seniors Rebeccah Bernard, Tiffany Blackmon and Rosie O'Toole and sophomore Kristen McKillop played significant minutes on the defensive end of the field in the two games.
The Panthers tallied 15 shots in the game and five corner kicks. Harbrueger led the team with five shots and Chavez had four. Six other Panthers recorded a shot.
Georgia State returns to action on Friday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m. vs. North Carolina State in the N.S. State / Summit Hospitality Invitation in Raleigh, N.C. The Panthers will also face East Carolina in the Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 10, at noon.
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