EMERSON, Ga.— Georgia State's magical run in the Sun Belt Women's Soccer Championship came to an end on Sunday falling to top-seed South Alabama 4-0 at LakePoint Sporting Community. The Panthers, the tournament's No. 6-seed, had pulled off back-to-back upsets to reach the final.
South Alabama (17-2-2) won its third-straight Sun Belt tournament title and extended its unbeaten streak to 14 games. The Jaguars are unbeaten in their last 29 matches against Sun Belt opponents.
Georgia State finished its season with an 11-6-4 record, reaching the conference tournament finals for the first time in the Sun Belt.
South Alabama got on the board first as Jordan Duncan put one into the back of the net in the 29th minute. It was Duncan's second goal of the tournament. Danielle Henley, an All-Sun Belt First-Team member was credited with the assist.
The Jaguars dominated first half time of possession and shots, 7-1, but still went into the half leading just 1-0.
All-Sun Belt First-Team member Chelsea Followwell added a second goal for the Jaguars in the 60th minute and Charde Hannah added another in the 64th minute to go ahead 3-0. It was Followwell's fourth goal of the year and 10th for Hannah.
Nini Rabsatt-Smith added the final goal in the 84th minute on an assist from Jemma Purfield. Rabsatt-Smith, an All-Sun Belt First-Team member, scored her third goal of the season.
”The girls should be very proud of themselves. They put in a lot of hard work and their efforts really paid off. It was a great seaosn and I will definitely miss this group of seniors. We are wishing all the best for South Alabama in teh NCAA Tournament,” head coach Derek Leader said.
Sophomore Kenzie Winters, senior Jenna Moore, junior Suzanne Arafa and senior Ashley Nagy all received All-Tournament Honors.
The tournament, originally scheduled to be played at the GSU Soccer Complex, had to be moved north of Atlanta following torrential rains last week that flooded the field.
