MARTIN, Tenn. - Jordan Young's 84th minute goal gave the Georgia State women's soccer team to its first victory of the season over UT-Martin Friday night. The Panthers improve to 1-3-1, while the Skyhawks drop to 1-5-1.
“It came down to a late goal again but the team showed a lot of guts and determination. We were able to score our goal and hold onto the lead. We are excited to get the win,” head coach Derek Leader said after the match.
GSU opened the game quickly with Amanda Bruemmer forcing UT-Martin goalkeeper Mariah Klenke to make a save in the second minute. The Skyhawks responded with a pair of attacks of their own in the fifth and seventh minutes. First, Dominika Conc fired a shot on target but Panther goalie Brie Haynes was there to make the save. Then, UT-Martin's Alyssa Curtis headed a chance on goal, but Haynes made the save to keep the game tied 0-0.
Both teams continued to attack over the next few minutes. Klenke made her second save on the half on an attempt by GSU's Lauren Harriman in the ninth minute. Four minutes later, Skyhawk Hannah McGowen shot was on target but Haynes was there for her third save of the opening period.
After another save by Haynes, the Panthers had their best scoring chance of the half in the 29th minute. Alyssia Feronti's was on goal, but a Skyhawk defender was there to clear the ball off the line.
GSU tested Klenke two more times before the end of the first half, but she made both saves to keep the score tied 0-0 after 45 minutes. UT-Martin held the edge in shots (11-8) while Georgia State took more corners (2-1).
Early in the second period, the Skyhawks attempted a flurry of shots including three on goal. First, Conc and Amy Maksimowicz tested Haynes after a corner kick in the 51st minute. However, the Panther keeper was there to make both saves. In the 53rd minute, Aoife Lennon fired a shot on goal, but Haynes kept the game tied 0-0 with her seventh save of the game.
Ten minutes later, Georgia State had its first attacking chance of the second half. Harriman fired her third shot on goal of the game, but Klenke made the save. In the 65th minute, Haynes made her eighth save on a shot by Sam Dunn. Eryka Hawkins got right into the actin after subbing into the contest. She sent a shot on goal that Klenke had to save after being in the match for just over a minute.
“We were glad to use Eryka Hawkins more in this match, and she was very effective and got into many dangerous positions. Ashley Nagy was also very good in the game and played extremely well,” Leader said after the impressive performances by the two attackers.
Georgia State final found the back of the net in the 84th minute. Hawkins and Nikki Fedele combined to find Jordan Young inside the box. Then, Young was able to beat Klenke with a shot from 15 yards out to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
UT-Martin continued to attack during the final minutes as they attempted four shots and took two corners. However, Haynes and the Panther defense were able to hold on for the 1-0 win.
GSU's Brie Haynes improves to 1-3-1 this season. She finished with nine saves on 27 shots faced. UT-Martin's Mariah Klenke gets the loss after recording six saves on 14 shots.
“Both teams had chances, they fired a lot from distance. As usual Brie Haynes was stellar,” Leader said about his freshman keeper. “It was not exactly a pretty game but it was nice to finally get a result after all the hard work form our players.”
Georgia State will face Vanderbilt Sunday, Sept. 15, in Nashville. The match is set to kick-off at 2 p.m. ET.
“We know that Vanderbilt is going to be a really tough game, but for right now we are going to enjoy the win,” Leader said about the upcoming match. “The coaching staff is already working on the game plan for Vanderbilt, but we are looking to use this win to change the season as a whole.”
