Georgia Southern Blanks The Citadel, 2-0
Charleston, S.C. – The Citadel women's soccer team (4-9-2, 2-4-1) was unable to bounce back after two first half goals by Georgia Southern (5-7-2, 3-3-1) as they were downed, 2-0, in a Thursday evening conference battle on Washington Light Infantry Field. The loss is the first the Bulldogs have suffered against the Eagles since 2007.
The Citadel had a few opportunities to open up the game with momentum as two corner kicks from freshman Anastasia Mesa resulted in shots, but the Bulldogs were unable to connect. Georgia Southern was able to maintain possession for the next 10 minutes of play and in the 12th minute, the persistence paid off as Georgia Southern forward Courtney Collins would knock in an open net goal off a cleared pass that was fed to her by teammate Sara Oland to give the Eagles a quick 1-0 lead.
Not even five minutes later Collins and Oland were able to connect again with the same result. Oland cleared a long pass down the middle of the field as Collins split the defenders and side stepped Bulldog goalie Laura Serafino for her second goal of the game.
The Eagles entered the half with a 2-0 lead, despite being outshot nine to six in the first 45 minutes.
The Bulldogs came out firing in the second half, as Hannah Warne and Mariana Garcia landed two quick shots on goal that were scooped up by Eagles keeper Katie Merson.
The sophomore leaders, Vanessa Aponte and Mariana Garcia, fired a combined 14 of the teams' 18 shots in the effort to net a goal and put the Bulldogs back in the game, but to no avail as Merson stymied every shot that came her way.
The Georgia Southern defense finished out the second half and the Bulldogs were downed, 2-0.
The loss leaves The Citadel in 10th place in the conference. The Bulldogs will have to fight their way into the playoffs for the remaining four games against SoCon foes Davidson, Furman, Wofford and crosstown rival College of Charleston.
"We put ourselves in this spot and it will be nothing short of a complete battle in the remaining games to get a playoff spot," said Coach Bob Winch.
The Citadel will now head to Davidson, N.C. to take on the Wildcats on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.
For more information on Bulldog Soccer, find us on Twitter @CitadelWSoccer, Facebook, or visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics, www.citadelsports.com.
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