ATLANTA, Ga. (November 7, 2008) The Georgia State University men's soccer team ended their season on a high note with a 5-0 win against the Blue Hens from Delaware. Eduardo Liza, Linus Warendh, and Jacob Hamilton recorded a goal apiece as senior Dathan Knott netted two goals in the contest.
The Panthers got on the board early as senior midfielder Liza was awarded a penalty kick after a Blue Hen defender tackled him from behind in the box. Liza has scored a goal in each of his final two home games to finish his career on a high note and bring his season total to two goals.
Senior Warendh recorded the second Panther goal from about 15 yards out and aimed a well-placed kick through a group of players that sailed into the left corner of the net. That is Warendh's fourth career goal.
Georgia State went into halftime with a 2-0 lead and outshooting the Blue Hens 9-6. “I felt really good going into halftime this afternoon,” remarked Georgia State coach Kerem Daser. “It was good to see Eduardo and Linus score in their last game here at Georgia State. I wanted the seniors to go out on a high note today.”
The Panthers kept their momentum as senior forward Knott scored back-to-back goals less than eight minutes apart. Delaware goalkeeper Conrad Rusnak came out of the box towards junior Stephan Minyono and Minyono capitalized on the opportunity with a pass to Knott. Knott then tapped the ball into the open goal towards the left corner of the net.
Knott's second goal came in the 69th minute when he was able to shake free of the Delaware defenders and send the ball flying into the upper left corner of the net. Knott finishes the season and his career tied with Minyono as they lead the team with six goals each.
The Panthers final goal was scored in the 85th minute by freshman Hamilton. Senior Joe DeVito lured the Blue Hen keeper Rusnak out of the box as he tried to send the ball into the net. Rusnak deflected the ball back towards DeVito who then crossed it over to Hamilton. Hamilton was able to get a foot on it and send it over the fallen goalkeeper and into the net. That is Hamilton's second goal of the season and DeVito's second assist.
Senior Panther goalkeeper Filipe Carvalho ended the contest with five saves to keep the shutout. That is his fourth shutout of the season and the ninth in his career.
“I feel that this is the best game that we have played all year. We came out and were ready to play today. I wanted the seniors to leave on a high note and they definitely played big for us today,” commented Daser. “Spenser Sumpter had a huge game in the back along with Francesco Barbera. Joe DeVito was one of the top players in the match. It was a total team effort out there today.”
The 5-0 win marks the most goals that Georgia State has ever scored in a CAA match up. Five goals is the most Panther goals scored in the past 65 matches. That occurred in September of 2005 when Georgia State shutout Lipscomb 5-0.
The Panthers finish the 2008 season with two consecutive wins for the first time since 1996. The 2008 record of 6-8-4, 2-6-3 CAA is the second best CAA finish since joining the conference in 2005.
“This was a great way to end the season,” said Daser. “I'm going to miss this group of eight seniors. Many of them are four-year starters and every single one of them have improved so much since they've been here. I wish all of them the best and it's been a great pleasure coaching them. This season has been one of our best; we've won more CAA games this season than the past two combined. This gets us excited for our spring season and for our seven returning starters next year.”
