Seniors Kay Harbrueger and Kara Vezza each scored a goal to lead the Georgia State Panthers over Jacksonville State 4-0 Friday afternoon. Apryl Goodwin and Emily Dover also contributed with goals of their own. Harbrueger and Caitlin Smith each registered their first assist of the season.
In goal, sophomore Heidi Blankenship and freshman Kellianne Collins combined for the shutout.
The win moves the Panthers to 2-0-0 on the season. They travel to Rock Hill, S.C. to face the Winthrop Eagles Sunday at 1 p.m.
“It was another nice win,” Coach Domenic Martelli said. “We had all 24 girls play a lot, which gave [the coaching staff] a good opportunity to gauge where we are, and how we need to improve.”
The first goal of the game, in the fifth minute, came via Kay Harbrueger's delicate footwork in the goal box. After receiving a pass from fellow senior Caroline Harvischak, Harbrueger outmaneuvered her defender with lightning quickness from the goal line to the middle of the field, allowing the scoring opportunity.
Kara Vezza followed Harbrueger in the 28th minute with a well-timed break to the goal. Harbrueger saw the break and delivered a cross which Vezza neatly collected and drilled past the goalie into the right corner.
The Panthers controlled the game from the onset, dominating possession of the ball. Credit goes to the strong midfield play of Kristen McKillop, Candace Gonzales, Karli Klein, and Caroline Harvischak.
“We were able to control possession by playing through the midfield well, today,” said senior Karli Klein. “This win gives us great momentum heading into Sunday's road game.”
Georgia State's momentum and the 2-0 carried them through halftime and deep into the second half, during which the Jacksonville State attack was stymied to only one shot on goal.
“I thought we were able to find each other very easily today. When those passes come naturally, we can switch the point of attack really quickly,” said Caroline Harvischak.
Sophomore Apryl Goodwin broke the scoring drought with her first goal of the season in the 71st minute. Freshman Lindsay Mortellaro's corner kick found a pile of players at the net. When the ball popped out of the scrum, Goodwin was there to bang home the goal.
Freshman Emily Dover put an exclamation point on the afternoon with her first career goal in the 74th minute. Dover received a pass down the sideline from Caitlin Smith. After galloping away from a Jacksonville State defender, Dover blasted a shot towards the left goalpost. An unlucky Jacksonville State defender found the wrong place at the wrong time, getting nailed by the shot and ricocheting it into the right half of the goal.
Dover becomes the second Panther in as many games to record her first career goal.
Freshman Kellianne Collins entered the game in the 74th minute and preserved the shutout, but not without a little help. In the 82nd minute, Jacksonville State mounted an attack that left a wide open shot inside the goal box. Luckily, junior Khrystal Richmond found herself in perfect position to block the shot.
“I thought tonight was a great experience for our squad,” said Martelli. “Emily [Dover] scored her first goal, and Lani proved again she belongs in the starting lineup. Really, all the freshman proved today that they belong at this level.”
Georgia State's 2-0-0 record shows marked improvement from last season, dispatching Tennessee Tech 5-0, and today's Jacksonville State 4-0 victory. Last season, the Panthers struggled to a 0-0 tie with Jacksonville State, and managed a 3-2 comeback victory over Tennessee Tech.
“Sunday will be another test for us. We're playing our first road game, against another tough team in Winthrop. Our team needs to respond with focus and intensity to come away with a win,” said Coach Martelli.
