LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Georgia State women's soccer team clinched a spot in the Sun Belt Conference Championship with a 3-1 win over UALR Friday night in Little Rock, Ark. Ashley Nagy scored two first half goals to lead the Panthers, who improve to 5-8-1 and 3-3 in conference play.
“Our team's true character showed. We went down early, missed a penalty kick but the team never looked back,” head coach Derek Leader said after the come from behind win. “Our team has shown tremendous growth and development over the season and tonight we came out with a convincing win. We are ending the regular season on a positive note as we head into the conference tournament.”
The Trojans grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute after Mikayla Uyokpeyi scored her first goal of the season. Betsy Blackwood found Ariel Galletti with a cross. Georgia State goalie Brie Haynes saved Galletti's attempt but Uyokpeyi was there to tap the rebound into the back of the net.
Haynes was forced to make another save in the 23rd minute on a shot by UALR's Amanda Wilkinson. In the 27th minute, GSU was awarded a penalty kick but Wilson was able to save Alyssia Feronti's attempt.
The Panthers tied the score 1-1 in the 34th minute when Lauren Harriman assisted on Nagy's fifth goal of the season. Harriman sent a free kick into the box and Nagy was able to redirect it into the net past Wilson.
Georgia State nearly took the lead in the 40th minute but Harriman's shot was too high and it deflected off the crossbar.
Three minutes later, Nagy scored her second goal of the half to give GSU a 2-1 lead. Whitney Ravan played a long pass over the top of the Trojan defense to Nagy, who was able to fire a shot past Wilson from the top of the penalty area.
At the break, UALR held a slight edge in shots (9-8) and GSU took the only corner kick.
One minute into the second half, Harriman scored her first goal of the season to give Georgia State a 3-1 lead. Nagy passed the ball to Harriman who fired a shot past Wilson from the top of the 18 yard box.
“Lauren had an unbelievable assist off a set piece in the first half,” Leader said about the sophomore midfielder. “Then, seconds into the second half she struck an unbelievable goal. I am so proud of her, she really stepped up tonight.”
In the 69th minute, Haynes made her third save of the match on Ashley Barksdale's shot to keep protect GSU's 3-1 lead. She made another save in the 85th minute and GSU was able to secure the 3-1 win.
GSU's Haynes earned the win to improve to 5-8-1 this season. She recorded four saves on 12 shots. UALR's Wilson gets the loss and falls to 4-4. She finished with five saves on 13 shots faced.
Georgia State returns to action Sunday, Oct. 20, to face the Red Wolves of Arkansas State. The match is set to kickoff at 2 p.m. ET in Jonesboro, Ark.
“We will focus on recovering from tonight's match, and we will look ahead to Arkansas State Sunday,” Leader said about the Panthers next match. “The players are motivated to play the next match. We wanted to win three of our last four and so far we have won two of two.”
