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Georgia’s Louise Hogrell (1) kicks a goal kick during the Georgia Bulldogs’ match with the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Jack Turner Soccer Complex in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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ATHENS, Ga.—An imposing defensive performance from Georgia held Mississippi State (3-7-3, 1-3-2) scoreless in UGA’s 2-0 victory over its SEC counterpart Friday night at the Turner Soccer Complex.
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An early goal from junior forward Marion Crowder in the second minute gave Georgia (3-8-1, 2-4) a quick lead and the defense did the rest holding strong for the remaining 88 minutes. Junior Lauren Tanner added the Bulldogs’ second score of the night in the 69’ on a penalty kick.
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Head coach Billy Lesesne was very pleased with his team’s execution of the game plan.
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“Time and score is always an issue and getting an early goal gives you a lot of confidence,” Lesesne said. “It also allowed our defense to really settle in. We had been preaching getting off to a good start and getting that first goal, that gave us a lot of confidence. The other thing we talked about was winning both halves. To score another goal in the second-half to win both halves was a big thing for us.”
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1:53 into the game defender Bria Washington played a cross to the far side of the box to a streaking Marion Crowder. Despite being her short stature, Crowder leapt above the defense and headed in her third goal of the season.
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Georgia’s defense played a large role in the victory causing Mississippi State troubles every time they got near the goal. Several times the ball was sent into the box only to be cleared by a number of Bulldog defenders.
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In the 69’ Mississippi State fouled Lauren Tanner in the box and the upperclassman instantly called her own number to take the penalty kick. Tanner didn’t disappoint, firing a ball into the bottom left corner of the net giving Georgia a 2-0 lead and the security goal it was looking for. The Bulldogs outlasted Mississippi State for the remaining 21 minutes to earn their third shutout of the season.
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Georgia outshot Mississippi State 13 to 12 overall. Goalkeeper Louise Hogrell finished the contest with four saves.
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The Bulldogs are back on the road on Sunday when the team travels to Columbia, Missouri to take on the Missouri Tigers at 2 p.m. ET.
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For more scores and news, your latest updates on Georgia Women’s Soccer:
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GEORGIADOGS.COM – University of Georgia Official Athletic Site – Women’s Soccer
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