The Georgia State University women's soccer team fought valiantly against 2006 Conference USA Champion UAB, but dropped a 0-2 decision to the Blazers at the Mercer LQ Cup in Macon on Sunday.
The Panthers had 10 shots in the contest to 12 by UAB and each team had six on goal, evidence of the tight play on the pitch. However, the Blazers scored two minutes into the contest and added an insurance goal late to capture the victory.
Georgia State (1-1-0) played an aggressive match against a team that advanced to the NCAA Cup last season and had more corner kicks and fouls than their counterparts, with five corners to UAB's three and 12 fouls to 11 for their opponent.
UAB (1-0-1) took control of the scoreboard in the second minute of play when freshman Justine Hartigan flicked a header into the far upper corner off the goal, assisted by Danya Barsalona and Sally Palmer.
“It was disappointing to go down 1-0 early when I felt the team was ready to play,” said head coach Domenic Martelli. “I was very happy with the way we played, but we just didn't get the result we wanted against a very good team. But, you have to be pleased with the way we played against a team that was in the NCAA Cup last year.”
Immediately after the UAB goal, the Panthers asserted themselves offensively and attempted to tie the contest. Georgia State out shot UAB eight to five in the first half, but failed to convert on three promising opportunities.
Junior forward Kay Harbrueger broke free of the defense inside the goalkeeper's box moments after the Blazer goal to unleash a shot from the right, but the UAB goalkeeper snuffed the opportunity. Later in the first half, junior Karli Klein took an open shot from 18 yards out, but the ball struck the cross bar. The Panthers third great opportunity of the half occurred when junior Kari Quinn drilled an open shot that the Blazer keeper was only able to graze with her hand, but she deflected the ball just enough to have it strike the post and bounce clear.
“When it keeps hitting the post, but won't go in, it just feels like one of those days,” added Martelli. “It was such an even game, but you have to give them credit for capitalizing on opportunities.”
The second half would prove to be evenly fought, but UAB would strike again in the 72nd minute off a goal kick when Barsalona placed the ball in net off assists from Kate Blankenship and Allison Belsterling.
With a 2-0 lead, UAB prevented the Panthers' attack in the final minutes of the second half.
Georgia State was led offensively by senior Nathalie Carter who had four shots with two on goal. Harbrueger had two shots with each on goal and Klein also recorded two shots with one on goal.
Redshirt junior Charlotte Vargo started in goal and recorded two saves and freshman Heidi Blankenship played the second half and also had two saves.
The Panthers played without the services of freshmen Kaila Muecke and Jessica Black, who were forced to sit after receiving double yellow cards in Friday's 2-1 win against Jackson State. Freshman Apryl Goodwin, who scored against Jackson State, played limited minutes in the contest due to an ankle injury.
Georgia State returns to action on Wednesday, September 5 when the team hosts in-state rival Mercer in their first home game of the year and the team's first contest on the new soccer field at the Panthersville Athletics Complex.
Check GeorgiaStateSports.com for news on the Panthers and updates before next week's games.
