ATLANTA – Cory Plasker scored the game-winning goal in the 32nd minute to lift the Georgia State men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Presbyterian Tuesday night. The Panthers have now won back-to-back home matches after defeating North Florida 4-1 on Sept. 13.
“The guys typically play very well at home,” head coach Brett Surrency said after the win. “I am extremely proud of the way the guys have bounced back. We had a tough start to the season, but we have turned it around the past two matches. The team deserves it because they have continued to work hard and I am happy to see their hard work turning into some wins.”
In the opening 21 minutes of the first half, both goalkeepers were called into action.
- First Tommy Erwood tested GSU keeper CJ Cochran in the 4th minute, but the senior made the save.
- In the 21st minute, Jad Elkhalil fired a shot on goal that was saved by Blue Hose goalkeeper Johnny Archer.
Tyler Alexander nearly gave Georgia State the lead five minutes later when Eddie Wilding found the striker with a perfect cross. However, Alexander's header drifted inches wide of the right post and the match remained scoreless.
This all changed in the 32nd minute when Plasker pounced on a mistake by Archer. The Presbyterian keeper threw the ball into the ground and it fell to Plasker who fired a low shot into the back of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The Blue Hose responded with a chance in the 35th minute but Cochran was able to save Mason Lewis' attempt. GSU responded with a pair of shots on target over the final 10 minutes of the half but Archer made both saves to keep the Georgia State advantage at 1-0.
- After 45 minutes the Panthers held a 9-6 shot advantage and took one more corner kick (3-2).
Georgia State had a pair of chances to try and double its lead in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
- First in the 55th minute, Amiri Abraham's curling effort was deflected just over the crossbar.
- Then eight minutes later, Conor Acheson had a chance off a Niklas Kivinen corner but Archer made a finger-tip save to deny the GSU defender's diving header.
In the 74th minute, Ali Elkhalil got behind the Blue Hose defense but his low shot skimmed just wide of the left post.
“We created some good opportunities but one thing seemed to be off,” Surrency said about the missed opportunities. “Either it was a poor service or an improperly timed run, but either way there are a lot of positives that we can take from tonight. However, there are still some things that we can get better at. We will learn from tonight's match and improve going forward.”
Presbyterian continued to press for an equalizer and the team's best chance came in the 82nd minute. Tommy Erwood was picked out with a cross and he sent a dangerous header on target. Cochran looked to be beaten but the senior made a great leaping save to push the ball over the crossbar and out of danger.
“Presbyterian is good on set pieces and long throw-ins so we knew it would be important for CJ to be focused,” Surrency said about his goalkeeper. “He made a great reaction save close to the end to help secure the victory. He is a fifth-year senior and we have high expectations for him and he delivered tonight.”
Both teams had one final chance but neither was on target and the Panthers clinched the 1-0 win.
- CJ Cochran finished with three saves on nine shots to pick up his second win and first shutout of the season.
- Johnny Archer recorded four saves on 16 shots in the loss.
- Panthers improve to 2-3-0 with their second-straight win, while Presbyterian falls to 1-3-0.
- Georgia State now begins a three-match road trip that features UNCG, Lipscomb and South Carolina.
“After back-to-back wins we will be confident going into the first match against UNCG. We have to figure out how to win on the road and so far we have not done that. We need to learn how to win away from home in preparation for Sun Belt play since we have three road matches. We are excited to get back on the field and the guys will be prepared.”
