Norfolk, Va. (October 14, 2009) The Georgia State (3-5-1, 1-4 CAA) men's soccer team couldn't withstand a second half surge from Old Dominion (7-3-1, 2-2-1 CAA) as the Monarchs scored two goals to beat the Panthers 3-1 on Wednesday night. Freshman Gimel Gordon scored his third goal of the season and second straight game with a goal to pace Georgia State in the loss.
Georgia State played another solid game keeping the game close after going into halftime with a 1-1 tie. The Panthers were down early in the contest when Old Dominion struck first in the 8th as Yannick Smith scored his first goal of the season after receiving a pass from teammate Bobby Foglesong to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead in the match.
The Panthers found a way to get even in the match when in the 24th minute senior Brett Cummins gave a great service to freshman Gimel Gordon who finished the play with a header to the back of the net to tie the score 1-1. Gordon scored this third goal of the season and it marks the second straight game he has scored a goal to give him seven points on the season.
"We scored a great goal in the first half after Brett (Cummins) made a tremendous service and Gimel (Gordon) finished to tie the score at 1-1, added Head Coach Kerem Daser." "It was great to see freshman Gimel (Gordon) score his third goal of the season showing great poise in this game."
Old Dominion put the pressure on in the second half leading to some opportunities but freshman goal keeper was up to the challenge. Three minutes into the second half the Monarchs fired a shot on goal but Vincent Foermer came up with the save to keep it scoreless early on.
The Monarchs had other opportunities but Foermer again made some terrific saves to keep the game tied coming up with six saves in a span of 15 minutes. Old Dominion was taking advantage of the Panthers being without its starting captain Chris Peacos due to five yellow cards accumulated during the season.
"Missing our starting captain (Chris) Peacos really hurt our defensive intensity out there and we gave a great effort but ODU was so dangerous in the attacking third."
Old Dominion struck through in the 71st minute when Steffen Rabben scored off the header from a pass from teammate Shane Howard to make the score 2-1. The Monarchs would add an insurance goal in the 84th minute after a foul occurring inside the box resulting in a penalty kick for Nane Joseph who scored to make the final score 3-1.
Freshman goal keeper Vincent Foermer finished with a career high in saves with eight after a solid game in net for the Panthers.
"Vincent (Foermer), Stephan Minyono, and Brett Cummins really stepped up giving a great effort for our team tonight but it just wasn't enough." "We were tied 1-1 with 20 minutes to go against a very good team and I'm proud of our guys tonight."
Georgia State returns home against James Madison on Sat. Oct 17 at 1:45 p.m. with the game being held at the Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
