ATLANTA – A goal in the 89th minute proved the difference as the Georgia State women's soccer team was defeated by Texas State, 1-0, Friday night in San Marcos, Texas. GSU falls to 3-7-1 overall and 1-2 in the Sun Belt, while the Bobcats improve to 5-5-2 this season and 2-0-1 in conference play.
“Texas State is a very good team,” head coach Derek Leader said following the tough loss. “Both teams had scoring chances, but unfortunately they were able to score with just under two minutes. We have to stop turning the ball over and causing problems for ourselves.”
The Panthers opened the game quickly when Alyssia Feronti tested Texas State goalkeeper Natalie Gardini with a shot in the second minute, but Gardini made the save. The Bobcats responded with a scoring chance of their own thirty seconds later when Lynsey Curry fired a shot on goal. However, GSU goalie Brie Haynes was there for the save. Georgia State threatened again in the sixth minute, but Gardini saved Ashley Nagy's attempt.
The next scoring chance for either team came in the 26th minute when Haynes saved Lynsey Curry's shot. Haynes made another save in the 44th minute on an attempt by Kelsie Townsend to keep the game scoreless.
GSU fired two shots on goal in the final minute of the first half, but Gardini made both saves. The half ended with the score tied 0-0. After 45 minutes, the Bobcats held the edge in shots (8-5) and corner kicks taken (4-2).
Texas State nearly took the lead in the 50th minute but Sydney Curry's shot deflected off the post. Over the next 25 minutes, the Bobcats continued to attack, forcing Haynes to make a four saves to keep the score tied 0-0.
Texas State continued to apply pressure on the GSU defense. In the 89th minute, Tori Hale sent a corner kick into the box, and Townsend was able to head the ball into the back of the net to secure a 1-0 win for the Bobcats.
“We thought we had scored a goal to tie it one minute later,” Leader said about the finish. “However, the referee called it back.”
GSU's Brie Haynes gets the loss and falls to 3-7-1 this season. She finished with nine saves on 16 shots faced. Texas State's Natalie Gardini earned the win to improve to 5-5-2. She recorded four saves on nine shots faced.
Georgia State returns to Atlanta to host South Alabama in the Panthers next Sun Belt match. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at the GSU Soccer Complex.
“We look forward to returning home to play south Alabama and Troy,” Leader said.
