The Georgia soccer team kicked off its 2016 spring season Tuesday night, tying Georgia State 1-1 in a 90-minute exhibition match played in Conyers, Georgia at the RYSA Revolution Soccerplex.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead near the 10-minute mark after Becca Rasmussen played a ball to Marion Crowder who found Lauren Tanner for the header. The Panthers answered with a goal of their own t10 minutes later tying the score at 1-1. No extra time was played following the conclusion of the second 45-minute half.

The Bulldogs focused on their team defense and combination play, two areas that head coach Billy Lesesne was pleased with following the match.

“It was a good game for us to gain experience,” Lesesne said following the game. “Georgia State was organized, especially defensively, so it was up to us to try to break them down. We had moments of success doing that and other times we weren’t as successful. It gave us a chance to review and some ideas of things we need to work on before our next game. I thought that we competed really well and carved out some decent scoring opportunities.”

Georgia returns to the pitch on Saturday, March 19 with a game against Southeastern Conference rival South Carolina at 10 a.m. in Evans, Georgia.
 
SPRING SCHEDULE:
All times listed are Eastern time
 
Sat., March 19 vs. South Carolina, 10 a.m., Evans, Ga.
Wed. March 30 vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m., Decatur, Ga.
Sat. April 9 vs. UNC-Wilmington, 11 a.m., Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sat. April 9 vs. Virginia Tech, 5 p.m., Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sat. April 23 vs. Kennesaw State, 2 p.m., Athens, Ga.