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                                       November 11, 2017

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – In a season of first-time accomplishments, the Georgia Gwinnett College women’s soccer team checked off another item on the list – capturing their first Association of Independent Institutions tournament championship with a 3-1 victory against the University of Jamestown Saturday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The matchup featured the top two seeded teams in the tournament, but the Grizzlies quickly grabbed momentum by scoring three first-half goals.

Junior Lauren Moss got the tournament hosts on the scoreboard off a corner kick in the fifth minute. Junior Ana Gonzalez played a corner to Moss who drilled a shot from 20 yards out over the leaping Jamestown goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, the Gonzalez-to-Moss combination worked again as Moss connected on a long shot into the upper right corner of the goal to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage. Moss was named the 2017 A.I.I. Women’s Soccer Championship’s Most Outstanding Player.

Gonzlaez also found the back of the net to stretch the margin to 3-0 in the 31st minute on a rebound goal. Senior Amy Morland initial shot attempt was saved by the Jamestown goalkeeper.

Jamestown got its only tally of the match in the 65th minute to trim GGC’s lead to 3-1. But, the defense and sophomore goalkeeper Sophie Hoare would keep the second-seeded Jimmies off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

GGC earns the A.I.I.’s automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament. The Grizzlies are ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Top 25 poll and are unbeaten in their last 16 matches. GGC will find out its opening round opponent and site during the NAIA Selection Show Monday, Nov. 13.

Turning Point

Leading 1-0 in the opening stanza of the contest, the Grizzlies grabbed control of the championship match by scoring a second goal in the first 11 minutes of action. Both goals were scored by junior Lauren Moss with perfectly placed shots into the goal. GGC would add a third tally later in the first half to hold a 3-0 lead.

Goals

5’ – Georgia Gwinnett Lauren Moss (Ana Gonzalez)

11’ – Georgia Gwinnett Lauren Moss (Ana Gonzalez)

31’ – Georgia Gwinnett Ana Gonzalez (Amy Morland)

65’ – Jamestown Caelie Williams (unassisted)

Inside The Numbers

  • GGC held a 23-to-7 shot advantage in the match, including a 14-2 edge during the first 45 minutes of action.
  • The Grizzlies attempted nine corner kicks in the match.
  • Thirteen of GGC’s 23 shots were on goal.
  • Senior Amy Morland had a match-high seven shots, while senior Bristol Countess had five shots.

News & Notes

  • GGC improves to 14-3-2 on the season, while Jamestown falls to 14-5-1 in 2017.
  • The Grizzlies are ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Top 25 poll, while Jamestown stands 23rd in the poll.
  • GGC will be making its second appearance in the NAIA national tournament.
  • GGC hosted the A.I.I. soccer championships for the third time.
  • Saturday’s match was the first meeting between the two colleges.

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College earns the A.I.I.’s automatic bid to compete in the NAIA national tournament. The team will find out its NAIA opening-round opponent and location of the match during the NAIA Selection Show Monday, Nov. 13.