Cadence Setzer
© Bree Hicken

Panthers Host West Georgia in In-State Clash Thursday Night

ATLANTA – Georgia State women's soccer is back at the GSU Soccer Complex Thursday night, welcoming in-state foe West Georgia for a non-conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The contest marks the first official meeting between the two in-state programs. Georgia State enters the match 1-1-0 on the young season, while West Georgia comes in at 0-2-0 in its second year competing at the Division I level.

Panthers Open with Offensive Firepower

Head coach Ed Joyce's squad opened the 2025 campaign in impressive fashion, posting a 7-0 shutout of Truett-McConnell in the season opener. Junior transfer Hina Suzuki made an immediate impact in her Panther debut, recording a second-half hat trick to match the Georgia State single-game record with three goals.

Team captain Aaliyah Faddoul, a 2024 First Team All-Sun Belt selection and 2025 Preseason All-Sun Belt honoree, picked up right where she left off. The junior forward tallied one goal and three assists in the opener and continues to be the engine of the GSU attack.

In Sunday's road match at Furman, Georgia State controlled long stretches of possession and generated 16 shots, but ultimately fell 2-1 despite a second-half goal from sophomore Sunniyah Tucker. Tucker has scored in both matches to open the season and has quickly emerged as another dangerous weapon in the attacking third.

Through two matches, Georgia State is averaging 20 shots per game and owns an 8-2 edge in total goals. The Panthers have also been sharp on set pieces, recording 15 corner kicks to just five for their opponents.

Scouting the Wolves

West Georgia is in the midst of its second Division I campaign and is led by head coach Mallory Sayre. The Wolves opened the season with a narrow 3-2 loss to Jacksonville State before falling 7-0 at Kentucky.

UWG returns several key contributors from last season, including junior forward Katherine Hagans, who led the team in goals and points in 2024, and veteran goalkeeper Hannah Garrett, who started nine matches a year ago and posted a .766 save percentage — the 10th-best mark in program history.

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