![Georgia midfielder Katie Ralys (26) - UGA Soccer Team - (Photo by Steffenie Burns / Georgia Sports Communication)](https://photos.smugmug.com/Soccer/2017/Matches/Mississippi-State/SB/i-QNcmzNf/0/611c37e7/M/_MG_8101-M.jpg)
– UGA Soccer Team –
(Photo by Steffenie Burns / Georgia Sports Communication)
Down 1-0 with 46 seconds remaining in regulation, Georgia freshman Katie Ralys scored the equalizer to send the Bulldogs into overtime against No. 3 South Carolina in Sunday night’s soccer match at Stone Stadium. Georgia (4-11-2, 0-8-1 SEC) and South Carolina (14-1-1, 8-0-1 SEC) played to a 1-1 tie after double overtime in the Bulldogs’ final road game of the season.
Georgia’s goal was set up by a shot from freshman Mollie Bellisle in the final minute of play. The shot was blocked, giving the Bulldogs a corner kick opportunity. Sophomore Daria Stan sent the corner kick into the box, allowing Ralys to score.
“It was a very exciting game,” Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne said. “We got stronger as the game went on. It’s a 90-minute game and we got our goal in the last of those minutes. It was an effort that everybody is very proud of. The girls have to be very excited and proud of their effort and so are we. We kept pushing in overtime and had some really good chances there. I’m really pleased with the response after being on the field with one of the better teams in the country, and certainly in our conference. To perform like this, I am super excited and super proud of our team.”
The Bulldogs turned on the attack early, earning the first corner kick opportunity of the game in the 4th minute. Georgia took one more in the 7th minute before allowing the Gamecocks to take their first shot.
A Georgia foul in the box gave the Gamecocks a penalty kick opportunity at the 33:34 mark. Senior Lindsey Lane’s shot was good to give South Carolina the 1-0 lead.
Georgia had a chance for the equalizer in the 40th minute when Mariel Gutierrez sent a corner kick to Stan, who headed the ball slightly high of the net. The Bulldogs finished the half with six corner kick opportunities.
The Georgia defense kept South Carolina off the board despite taking eight shots throughout the second half, compared to the Bulldogs’ five.
Georgia took two shots in the second overtime period but ended the game in a draw against the Gamecocks, who had a perfect record in conference play.
Georgia senior goalkeeper Louise Hogrell currently leads the SEC in saves, adding eight more tonight.
The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season on Thursday, October 26 against Kentucky. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and Georgia will honor its seniors prior to the match.
Fans now have the opportunity to enjoy Georgia soccer games with a UGA soccer seatback. The seatbacks are thick and comfortable and can be purchased at the Fan Info table located in the plaza of the Turner Soccer Complex for $5 per game. You can also save $15 by purchasing a soccer seatback for all nine home matches of the season for a total of $30.