Georgia State (6-3-0, 0-1-0) fell, 2-0, to Old Dominion (5-4-1, 0-1-0) on Thursday at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
For the second-straight home date, Georgia State was forced to move the site of the contest from Panthersville to the Atlanta Silverbacks' artificial surface.
Heidi Blankenship played all 90 minutes in goal, getting credit for five saves on the game. Her career total was pushed to 171 on the game, eight short of fourth place on the Panthers' all-time career list.
The Panthers opened the game on their heels, as Old Dominion controlled possession from the onset.
"We've had great starts all season," said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli," but today we had a slow first ten or fifteen minutes. That wasn't a very good start."
The Panthers found themselves in a 1-0 deficit on Kirstin Walker's header in the 19th minute.
"We gave up that goal," said Martelli, "but then really controlled big stretches of the first half."
After Old Dominion's opening onslaught, Georgia State settled in for the remainder of the first half. The Panthers went into the halftime break being outshot 12 to four and five to two on goal.
Old Dominion opened the second half with a quick goal in the 47th minute to put Georgia State down 2-0.
"In the second half, we gave up that quick goal, and then pretty much controlled the rest of the game with our pressure," said Martelli. "It was good pressure, but it wasn't live-or-die pressure that we needed to get a goal, and that's what we need in conference play, that's the only way we'll compete with the great teams. "
Georgia State rebounded from the second goal of the contest with several good scoring opportunities. The Panthers outshot Old Dominion 10 to three and tied the Monarchs one to one with shots on goal.
Most of the Georgia State offensive chances would have been difficult, or even impossible, stops for the Old Dominion goalkeeper, but sailed wide or high.
Sophomore Emily Dover and junior Apryl Goodwin converged on a cross, but Dover's header bounced just wide in the 71st minute. Sophomore Lani Huntley had a free kick sailed high over the crossbar in the 80th minute. In the 85th minute, Huntley and Dover had three consecutive shots blocked by Old Dominion defenders from inside the Monarchs' box.
Georgia State moved attackers into the Old Dominion zone, scrambling for a goal in the closing minutes of the contest.
"We created a lot of half-chances, which against weaker teams we could get away with," said Martelli. "We have to finish those chances to play with the best teams in the conference. Now, we've got to put it together. "
"Today the game was very good, which helps us improve. But for the rest of our conference games, for us to get points, we have to finish plays and we have to have that edge, either stopping a team or getting the goal that makes a difference. They won't come to us automatically; we'll have to earn them."
Georgia State will travel to face off against William & Mary on Sunday September 27 at 2 p.m., as they look to even their conference record. Live stats will be available for the contest at www.GeorgiaStateSports.com
