JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Georgia State freshman Jewel Evans' game-winning goal at the 102:08 mark in double overtime gave the Panthers a thrilling 3-2 victory over Jacksonville State on Sunday in the season opener for GSU.
Despite playing under a 105 degree heat index, Georgia State (1-0) overcame the extreme heat conditions to secure its first victory of the 2010 season. Senior Kaila Muecke and Evans each netted their first career goals with the Panthers, and sophomore Sarah Bennett scored her eighth career goal to help down the Gamecocks. Freshman Caroline Howatt contributed with her first assist and goalkeepers Heidi Blankenship and Kellianne Collins combined for four saves.
The Panthers started the game with a powerful offensive attack, taking three shots and two corner kicks before Muecke notched her goal in the ninth minute on an assist from Howatt and sophomore Jocelyn Baker to give Georgia State and early 1-0 lead.
The team soon added to its lead with a score from Bennett in the 16th minute with an assist from junior Lani Huntley to put Georgia State two ahead of Jacksonville State.
“The first goal by Kaila was beautiful,” said head coach Domenic Martelli. “She had taken a shot earlier in the game and was just a bit too high over the crossbar, but she kept at it and got us the first goal of the game. Sarah's goal was also a great one. She had a perfectly placed ball from Lani and Sarah was able to beat the keeper to give us that early 2-0 lead.”
Twenty minutes into the game, the extreme heat began to take its toll on the Panthers and substitutions were made to try to keep the legs on the field fresh. However, the Panthers' lead was lessened by a Jacksonville State goal in the 27th minute to make the score 2-1.
“I've got to give credit to Jacksonville State to work hard in this heat and give that kind of effort,” stated Martelli. “We had to stop the game twice for mandatory water breaks but the team still came through with the win. That really shows me that this is one of the most physically fit teams I've ever had at Georgia State because they were able to keep at it despite the intense heat and get us that goal in the end to give us the win.”
In the second half, the Panthers looked to increase their lead but had difficulty capitalizing on their shot attempts, taking six shots in 25 minutes with no result. The Gamecocks then would even the score at two with a goal in the 79th minute. Neither team was able to register another goal before the 90 minutes were up, taking the game into overtime.
The first overtime saw little action with Georgia State taking three unanswered shots. At the beginning of second overtime, the Panthers took the field knowing they had just ten minutes to score a goal and secure the win. After a pass from senior Apryl Goodwin, Evans maneuvered around the Gamecocks goalkeeper in a one-on-one showdown to notch her first career goal in the 102th minute and give Georgia State the victory.
“Jewel was just the burst of energy in overtime to get out there and score the goal for the win,” said Martelli. To win in overtime is always a good thing, but we did have many chances to win in regulation. We came into this game not having everyone on the roster healthy and that really cut down on the amount of people we were able to rotate in and out. We had many chances to score but we kept missing out on those goal opportunities. We have got to get more people back and healthy so that we have more bodies available to go on the field and put in a good effort when their time comes.”
The win moves the Georgia State women's soccer team to 1-0 on the season. The Panthers return to action next Sunday, August 29 when they take on in-state rival Mercer in their home opener at Panthersville.
