Atlanta, Ga. (September 8, 2008) Linus Warendh and Stephan Minyono recorded a goal each as the Panthers defeated the Spartans from USC Upstate 2-1 on Monday evening at Panthersville.
After a delay of game due to lightning in the area, the Georgia State men's soccer team was able to come away with a win for their second home game of the 2008 season. The Panthers started off strong and were able to get on the board first late in the first period.
Senior Linus Warendh managed to get a free kick from 30 yards out past the Spartans goalkeeper, Pat Regna, and into the bottom left corner of the goal. This marks Warendh's second career goal and he recorded five shots for the day. "It was great to see Linus score on that free kick. I think it was an amazing free kick and it shows how much we've been practicing and how he has improved, " said Georgia State Coach Kerem Daser.
Georgia State led 1-0 until the 67th minute of the game when Spartan forward Erkan Yildrim was assisted by teammate Hakeem King and managed to score a goal on a header.
The game was tied for less than three minutes before the Panthers rallied back. Senior Dathan Knott aimed a pass to junior Stephan Minyono, who was able to put Georgia State in the lead again. That is Minyono's 2nd career goal as a Panther. Knott also recorded two shots on goal for the day. "It was good for Stephan to get the game winning goal. There was great combination play between the two strikers. Dathan and Stephan are learning to play together and compliment each other very well," commented Daser.
Georgia State led the game offensively and out shot the Spartans 18-5. Senior defender Francesco Barbera recorded two shots, with one on goal and sophomore midfielder Ayokunle Lumpkin logged in three shots, also with one on goal.
"We had a tough game tonight. USC Upstate is very organized and we had a hard time scoring against them. There were a lot of opportunities that we did not capitalize on. We need to improve on our finishing, but I feel that our fitness is at a good level and the team has good moral and fighting spirit. It was exciting to see Dathan either score or assist in all of the game thus far. The seniors once again stepped it up for us and were a huge help, especially Spenser Sumpter. I feel that he really stepped it up and is doing an outstanding job in the back," remarked Daser.
The Panthers are now 2-1 and head to the Mercer University Tournament this weekend to take on Alabama A&M on Saturday, September 13th at 4:30 p.m. and Mercer University on Sunday, September 14th at 3:00 p.m.
