[su_spacer size=”20″] The Georgia soccer team kicked off the 2015 regular season with a tightly contested 0-0 draw against High Point University, Friday night at Vert Stadium. The Bulldogs were led by an impressive performance from junior forward Marion Crowder who recorded three shots with two being on goal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs (0-0-1) are 14-3-4 all-time in season openers. Georgia rounds out the weekend with a 4 p.m. showdown on Sunday against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Neither team was able to find much success on the offensive end during the first half, which was highlighted by shots from Crowder and sophomore Kelsey Killean. Both Bulldogs had quality looks on goal, but saves from High Point goalkeeper Alex Persiani kept the slate clean for the Panthers.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Head coach Billy Lesesne liked the effort he saw from his team and hopes that it can translate to victories in the future.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “We had hoped we could get this one,” Lesesne said. “We had some pretty good opportunities, but just weren’t able to put them away. I think out effort was there. It wasn’t the prettiest of games. Sometimes the field conditions and the opponent have something to do with it. I think what this allows us to do is deal with a different style of play that we haven’t dealt with before, which will help us learn as a team. While we didn’t get the win, we got something out of this.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs came out firing in the second-half. Marion Crowder continued to use her speed to sprint past the Panther defense and have quality looks on goal. The junior was just wide left on her first shot in the second period. Several minutes later, a mistake by a High Point defender left Kelsey Killean with an open look at goal. Killean was unable to convert dealing with an awkward angle on goal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In the 64’ Marion Crowder played a perfect ball to Lauren Tanner, but the Buford, Georgia native was unable to score sailing a shot wide right of the goal. The Bulldogs came within feet of scoring multiple goals, but either saves from Persiani or errant shots prevented Georgia from putting points on the scoreboard.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The first overtime period was highlighted by a shot from Lauren Tanner that was drilled into a pack of Panthers. Her attempt was headed towards the goal, but hit several High Point defenders and died before it could find its way to the net. Crowder had an opportunity several minutes later, but fired her attempt high after running side by side with a High Point defender.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs owned the shots battle outshooting the Panthers 11-8 overall in regulation and 15-13 overall. Georgia didn’t allow the Panthers to take a shot on goal until the 88’ minute. Sophomore Goalkeeper Louise Hogrell played all 110 minutes in goal and registered one save.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia rounds out its weekend road stint on Sunday at 4 p.m. vs Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Demon Deacons are coming off of a 5-9-3 season last year. Sunday’s contest will be their first match of the season. The game will be broadcast live on EPSN3.