Despite an increased second-half defensive presence, the Georgia State University women's soccer team lost their first Colonial Athletic Association match of the season to James Madison, 3-1, in Harrisonburg, Va. on Friday.
Georgia State (5-3-0, 0-1-0) scored its lone goal in the 64th minute when senior forward Nathalie Carter collected a Caroline Harvischak pass six yards outside the goal and placed the ball in net, but the Panthers were unable to overcome a three-goal deficit the Dukes of James Madison built in the first half.
“James Madison is the best team we've seen all year and they were the better team today,” said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli. “They put us in a position we have not been in this year, but we fought back and Nathalie Carter put a nice ball in net to get our offense going. Our defense closed their opportunities in the second half, but we just couldn't make up the deficit.”
James Madison (8-1-0, 1-0-0) built its lead by the 37th minute and relentlessly pressured the Panthers defense in the first half of play with 13 shots. Madison's first goal came in the seventh minute off an Annie Lowry free kick from just outside the goalie's area. Melanie Schaffer collected a rebound off a save and kicked the ball in from 10-yards out in the 29th minute to score the second goal for the Dukes and Jess Remmes launched a ball from 30-yards away into the upper 90 for their third score.
Georgia State freshman goalkeeper Heidi Blankenship recorded six saves in the first half, while senior Megan Macdonald blocked one ball in the second half as the Panthers' defense tightened and allowed only seven shots.
Georgia State tallied just six shots to 20 for regionally-ranked James Madison, who controlled most statistical categories. The Dukes had five corner kicks to none for the Panthers and had 22 fouls to Georgia State's 14.
Junior forward Kay Harbrueger led the Panthers' offense with two shots, while Carter, who tied her previous season high with five goals, and three other Panthers each had one shot.
Lowry led Madison with six shots and two Dukes had three shots.
Georgia State returns to action on Sunday, September 30 when meet VCU in Richmond, Va. for the season's second conference game at 1 p.m. Check GeorgiaStateSports.com for updates following the game.
