Georgia State women's soccer fell, on senior day, 2-0 to CAA opponent Drexel on Sunday. The loss drops Georgia State to 11-8-0 (4-6-0), and improves Drexel to 7-10-1 (2-7-1).
Drexel's Aleka Yiantsos and Jourdan Halasz scored goals for the Dragons.
Georgia State had opportunities throughout the game, but struggled when push came to shove inside the Drexel zone.
“We made plenty of good plays to win the game,” said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli. “When we create as many chances as we did, but didn't finish early, it changes the whole complexion of the game. It hurts to have to change what we're trying to do when we have to press the issue.”
Senior Kay Harbrueger received a deep ball early over the top of the Drexel defense, but with a defender nipping at her heels, Harbrueger's shot sailed high of the crossbar in the first half.
Drexel's Aleka Yiantsos broke the scoreless tie in the 42nd minute as a Kim Chiarelli cross intended for another Drexel attacker sailed over the player and Georgia State defender Kari Quinn. Yiantsos came in from behind the play and drilled a header into the right corner.
Georgia State went on the attack to open the second half, charged up from the emotion of the senior day festivities. However, the offensive pursuit of the Panthers cost them a second goal.
In the 49th minute, Jourdan Halasz headed a ball toward the goal. Georgia State scrambled to defend the shot, but the ball caromed high off of sophomore Heidi Blankenship and into the goal.
“A lot of little errors made it tough on us. On Friday, we didn't make any unforced errors, but today we made a couple of mistakes that Drexel took advantage of. You play so many good teams in this conference, and they will always take advantage of a chance to come away with a win,” said Martelli.
Georgia State fought valiantly to mount a comeback in front of the largest crowd of the year. In the final ten minutes of the game, the Panthers created opportunity after opportunity, with senior Kristen McKillop firing deep passes into the goal box. Drexel's defense held strong though, denying all six of the Panthers shots on goal.
“We really had no room to score when they are able to put so many defenders back there. They did a great job when they had their backs against the wall,” said Martelli.
Georgia State will take to the field for the final time this season on Thursday, October 30th at 3 p.m.
