ATLANTA – Georgia State men's soccer rallied past Belmont 3-1 in the home opener Monday night at the GSU Soccer Complex, getting another two-goal performance from junior forward Aris Briggs.
The win moved the Panthers to 2-0 to start the season, the third time under head coach Brett Surrency the team has opened the year with back-to-back victories. After playing to a scoreless draw in its first match, Belmont suffered its first loss of the season on Monday.
Briggs got the scoring starting for GSU as he collected a pass from Victor Pereyra-Zavala and snuck a shot past the Belmont keeper to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute. The Bruins tied things up just 11 minutes later, getting a cross from the far touchline and putting one into the back of the net.
After 45 minutes of play, Belmont led 8-7 in total shots and 3-2 in shots on target.
Georgia State retook the lead in the 70th minute, as Briggs headed in a cross from Dylan Morris for his second goal of the night. The Memphis, Tenn., native leads GSU with four total goals after starting the year with two-goal performances in each of the team's first two matches.
GSU went on to get some insurance in the 81st minute when Matthew Fearnley rocketed a shot off a set piece that found the corner of the goal, making him the first Panther other than Briggs to record a goal this season.
Paul Tyson and the Georgia State back line held strong in the second half, fending off a more aggressive Belmont attack that was held to only four shots in the final 45 minutes. Tyson capped the evening with five total saves.
GSU returns to action 6 p.m. Saturday with a road contest at UNC Asheville.
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