Panthers Shut Out VCU for Tie

Women's Soccer Cavan Fosnes/Sports Communications

Women's Soccer Tops J'ville to Win Tourney

Goals from freshman Sarah Bennett and sophomore Bri Cagle and a shutout by junior Heidi Blankenship pushed the Georgia State women's soccer team past Jacksonville, 2-0, Sunday at the UNF Osprey Classic in Jacksonville, Fla. North Florida's 4-0 victory over Coastal Carolina later in the day assured the Panthers a first place finish in the Osprey Classic. Georgia State was the only team to finish the weekend unbeaten and untied.

Bennett, the rookie from Centennial, Colo., scored her second goal of the season. She has recorded at least one point in all three of the Panthers' games this season.

Blankenship's shutout, coming via eight saves, is the fourth of her career and the first of the season.

Georgia State scored early in the contest when Bennett stole the ball from Jacksonville's goalkeeper and scored unassisted to put the Panthers up 1-0 in the fourth minute.

“We had a lot of luck today,” said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli. “We scored early on a stolen pass back to the goalie, but it changed our mindset, scoring so early. That kind of got us a little out of doing what we do well. Also, with the heat, I think we tired very quickly, which made it a difficult game.”

The Panthers attacked throughout the game, earning seven corner kicks to Jacksonville's one, but only managed three shots on goal on the afternoon.

Georgia State would add to the lead in the 48th minute on a penalty kick by Bri Cagle. Cagle's goal is the first of her career. Sophomore Erinique Owens drew the foul during a corner kick which led to the penalty.

Junior Heidi Blankenship's play in goal helped the Panthers maintain their 2-0 lead down the stretch. Blankenship totaled eight saves on the afternoon, besting the season high of seven she set against Morehead State.

“During the last 10 or 12 minutes they had a series of good shots. Heidi [Blankenship] came up big on a breakaway and she made another nice save on the line. She played well for us today, but we still have a long way to go,” said Martelli.

The win moves Georgia State to 3-0 on the season, with all three victories coming on the road.

“Jacksonville was very technical, very fit, it just happened that in the second half they didn't have the luck to get a goal,” said Martelli. “We're 3-0 and getting the shutout was very important. All four of our backs played the whole game, so I give them a lot of credit. Carly Lafferty and Sarah Bennett played really nice games. Everyone played well, at times, but we have to sustain that for longer periods. We have to play better.”

Next week, the Panthers take part in another early season tournament on the road, the Murray State Hampton Inn Classic, where they will take on Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Alabama A&M.

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