FOLEY, AL -- Georgia State secured a 1-0 victory against Southern Miss in the opening round of the Sun Belt Tournament held on Monday (Oct. 30) at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex. Olivia Shaw, with her third goal of the season, clinched the win as she found the back of the net in the 75th minute after receiving a pass from Elena Diaz.
Southern Miss started the game with a strong offensive push, managing two shots on target within the first 10 minutes. Jaddah Foos was up to the task, making two remarkable saves to keep the score level at 0-0. Georgia State had its first chance when Elena Diaz received a cross from Bree Barley, who had beaten the defense, but unfortunately, the shot sailed just over the crossbar.
Throughout the remainder of the first half, both teams continued to create opportunities. Therese Guldager and Olivia Cohen had shots that narrowly missed the target, with Guldager's attempt just grazing the top of the crossbar. The first half would conclude with the score level at 0-0. Southern Miss held the advantage in shots, leading five to three, with two shots on target compared to Georgia State's zero. Additionally, Southern Miss had the edge in corner kicks, with a count of four to three.
The Panthers emerged from the halftime break with a strong start, generating a shot attempt in the 47th minute of the game. Callee Maughon's effort narrowly missed to the right of the goal. Subsequently, in the 58th minute, Elena Diaz had another shot that sailed just over the crossbar. Following Southern Miss's counter-attack off the missed shot, they would create another excellent scoring opportunity, necessitating Jaddah Foos's third crucial save of the game.
In the 75th minute, the Panthers managed to break the deadlock. Elena Diaz showcased her speed as she sprinted past the defenders along the side and delivered a brilliant cross into the box. Olivia Shaw demonstrated her poise, sliding in to make contact with the ball and slot it past the goalie, marking her third goal of the season and providing the Panthers with a 1-0 lead.
Southern Miss displayed resilience and pressed on, managing to test Jaddah Foos with another shot on goal in the 76th minute, but Foos was equal to the task, making her fifth and final save of the game. Southern Miss had one last opportunity, launching a cross with just 30 seconds remaining, but Foos punched the ball out, and the clock ran out with the Panthers securing a 1-0 victory.
Jaddah Foos achieved her sixth shutout of the season, bringing her career total to 21, just one shy of the school record of 22. Elena Diaz contributed with her third assist of the season, marking her fifth career assist. As for Olivia Shaw, her goal, the third of this season and her career, also held the distinction of being her first game-winning goal in her career.
Georgia State will return to action on Wednesday, November 1st, for the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament, facing off against Old Dominion at 2:30 PM.
Georgia St. improved to 9-4-6 on the season after the win.
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