GREENSBORO, N.C. – Behind a pair of assists by sophomore Amiri Abraham, the Georgia State men's soccer team increased its winning streak to three with a 2-1 win over UNCG in Greensboro, N.C. Ali Elkhalil and Rashid Alarape both scored their first goals of the season to lead the Panthers.

“We redirected our focus over the past three matches,” head coach Brett Surrency said after the hard-fought victory. “We had not won on the road this year prior to tonight. We have been focusing on the little things and I am so proud of the way the guys battled tonight. UNCG is a tough team and we earned a great result.”

The Spartans threaten twice early, forcing GSU's CJ Cochran to make a save in the sixth minute before Dustin Gamradt hit the post in the 7th. The Panthers first chance came in the 34th minute. Abraham found some space and fired a shot toward the top right corner but UNCG goalkeeper William Pyle was there for the save.

Each team had a headed chance in the final five minutes of the first half but both efforts were high and the half ended with the match scoreless.

• UNCG held a slight shot advantage (4-3) and took one more corner (2-1) during the first 45 minutes.

Georgia State went on the attack first in the second half forcing Pyle to make a pair of saves in the first eight minutes.

• Abraham tested the UNCG keeper in the 49th minute but Pyle came up with the save.
• Four minutes later it was Eddie Wilding who fired a shot on goal but the Pyle made the save to keep the match tied 0-0.

The Panthers finally grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute when Ali Elkhalil found the back of the net. Abraham played a dangerous cross to the far post, where Elkhalil was waiting to tap it into the open net.

“Ali worked very hard tonight. He made a superb run to the far post and was able to reach Amiri's great cross. He gave it everything he had to score that very crucial goal. He is the epitome of a student-athlete and you love to see those guys succeed.”

UNCG tied the match 1-1 in the 61st when Dustin Gamradt scored his second goal of the season. Aaron Reifschneider sent a low free kick into the box that the Panthers failed to clear. Garadt was then able to redirect the ball on target and past Cochran.

The Panthers responded to take a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute when Rashid Alarape scored his first career goal for GSU. Abraham again provided the assist with a cross to Alarape in the box. The freshman was able to make a quick turn and then fire his shot into the top right corner past Pyle.

“This was Amiri's best match of the year by far,” Surrency said. “He has stayed positive and has continued to work hard and tonight it payed off. We challenged Rashid to take more chances and tonight he scored a great goal. Both were dangerous for the entire match and were crucial to help us get the win.”

UNCG created two chances off a pair of corner kicks in the 73rd minute.

• First, Gamradt sent a header on goal that was saved by Cochran.
• Then Corey Croegaert also tried a header but his effort was blocked.

The Spartans had one final chance in the 84th minute but Moises Gonzalez's shot was blocked and the Panthers secured the 2-1 win.

• GSU has won three straight matches by a combined score of 7-3.
• CJ Cochran finished with three saves on 11 shots faced en route to his third victory of the season.
• Georgia State's next match is Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. against Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn.