ATLANTA--The
Georgia State men's soccer team roared back from a two-goal deficit in the
first half but couldn't equalize the match late and dropped a 3-2 decision
against Delaware on Saturday night at the GSU Soccer Complex.
The Panthers (3-6-0, 0-2-0) charged back from a two-goal deficit
in the first half thanks to goals from redshirt junior Caleb Kernan and senior
Alex Vivanco. Down by two goals after the first 20 minutes, freshman William
Mellors-Blair sprinted down the left side and fired a cross across the goal
mouth looking for Kernan. Kernan connected on a diving header on the right side,
placing the ball just inside the near post at the 31:27 mark to pull the
Panthers within a goal.
GSU went into halftime down 2-1 but came out in the second half on
the attack. The Panthers generated several scoring chances, including two shots
on goal, before Nwiloh earned a free kick in the Panthers' attacking end.
Nwiloh worked a give-and-go with Keene before looping in a high right-footed
cross from 45 yards out on the left side. Vivanco charged in from the right
side behind the initial wave of GSU forwards and skied up for the header. The
ball was perfectly placed just inside the far post to knot the match at 2-2 at
the 72:47 mark.
Delaware's Roberto Gimenez broke a 2-2 tie with a 35-yard strike
off a free kick in the 86th minute. The Blue Hens (3-6-1, 1-0-0)
went up 2-0 early on two goals from Mark Garrity. Delaware's Joe Dipre assisted
on the first by sending Garrity free with a through ball on the right side of
the 18-yard box. Kyle Nuel assisted on Garrity's second goal, which was scored
on a deflected shot off a GSU defender.
GSU senior goalkeeper Vincent Foermer made five saves in the
losing effort while Delaware's Jay Lupas also made five saves. The loss was the
first for Georgia State in a Colonial Athletic Association home opener under
third-year head coach Brett Surrency and just the third at home in the last two
seasons.
The Panthers owned a 15-12 edge in shots, including a 9-4 lead in
the second half. Georgia State, in conjunction with US Youth Soccer, celebrated
September as Youth Soccer Month on Saturday night.
Georgia State next travels to Hempstead, N.Y., for a match on
Saturday, Oct. 6 against Hofstra. Visit the men's soccer page on
GeorgiaStateSports.com for a preview of the match.
