Towson, Md. – Sophomore Sarah Bennett scored her third game-winning goal this season to lead the Georgia State women's soccer team to a 2-1, come-from-behind road victory against Colonial Athletic Association foe Towson (6-7-3, 2-4-1) Friday afternoon in Towson, Md.

The win improves the Panthers, ranked seventh in the Mid-Atlantic region, to 11-3-2 on the season and 5-1-1 in conference play, their most CAA victories since joining the conference in 2005. With the victory, Georgia State will remain at No. 2 in the CAA standings entering into its next match-up. 

Sophomore midfielder Carly Lafferty knocked in the Panther's first goal, as well as her first of the season, with an assist from freshman defender Briana Pitre, her second contribution this season.

Bennett landed the game winner with the help of an assist from freshman forward Jewel Evans, her sixth this season. Bennett's goal represented her eighth of the season, eclipsing her team-high goal total from last year by one.

“This was such a great win,” said head coach Domenic Martelli. “Going down 1-0, our team really exhibited a lot of strength, perseverance and leadership to come from behind to capture the win. We showed the amount of good opportunities, good shots and good possession in both halves of the game. Everything we have been accomplishing all year, I felt we put together against a talented team on the road.”

Georgia State's offense came out with a strong early effort, firing two shots on goal in the first six minutes of play. It was the Tigers, however, who got on the board first at the 15:48 minute mark on their first shot on goal with a score by Samantha Young giving Towson a 1-0 advantage.

In the waning minutes of the first half, the Panthers found the equalizer. Lafferty kicked a ball in from Pitre at the 43:31 mark after Towson's defense was unable to clear the ball from in front of the goal. With just over a minute left until halftime, the first 45 minutes came to an end with the score tied one apiece.

Georgia State tallied again soon after the start of the first half at the 58:08 minute mark. Panther scoring duo Evans and Bennett connected to give GSU a 2-1 lead. Evans crossed the ball from the right side to Bennett who was placed just outside the near post to boot the ball past the Towson keeper into the back of the net.

After GSU's second goal, the Tigers fired five shots in an attempt to even the score, but Towson was unable to penetrate the Panther defense and Georgia State came away with the 2-1 victory.

“We finished the game off,” said Martelli.  “We didn't want to get in a situation like we have earlier in the year and give up a late goal. Where do we go from here? We move on with another victorious game under our belt to our biggest game of the year, Sunday against George Mason. We have to come out confident, effort and determination because a win is not just going to fall into our laps.”

The Georgia State women's soccer team will look to continue its success in the CAA on Sunday, Oct. 17 as the Panthers venture to Fairfax, Va. to take on the 10^th regionally ranked Patriots of George Mason.