THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Three goals in the opening 16 minutes, including two within a 20-second span, paved the way for the No. 8-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women’s soccer team to score its second straight road victory, 3-0 at Thomas University (Ga.) on Wednesday afternoon.
Sophomore Joy Mertzig scored a pair of goals and provided an assist to complete the team’s strong offensive performance.
Freshman Jenny Stadin found the back of the net for the second consecutive match on a breakaway goal in the 13th minute.
Then, 20 seconds later, Mertzig struck for the first time when a shot from the top of the 18-yard box sailed into the upper right corner of the goal. She added a goal in the 16th minute on a header after receiving a pass from freshman Mariana Almanza.
Senior goalkeepers Sophie Hoare and Elisa Randel split time in goal to combine for the shutout, the team’s second of the season. Hoare made a save in the first half on the only shot to get to the GGC net for the match.
The Grizzlies (2-0) outshot Thomas by a 13-to-9 margin, including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal. Six of GGC’s shots came in the second half.
Coach’s Corner
“We have outscored our first two opponents 7-0, but still haven’t played our best soccer. This is a good place to be as we work on making all of the pieces fit on the team. Our best soccer is still ahead. Our goalkeepers have done a good job so far this year. They’re both playing better than last year,” said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
Turning Point
The visitors scored twice in a span of 20 seconds early in the first half to take a comfortable lead in the road match. Freshman Jenny Stadin tallied a breakaway goal in the 13th minute, just moments before sophomore Joy Mertzig buried a shot from the 18-yard box on the pitch. Mertzig added a second goal of the match in the 16th minute.
Goals
13’ – Jenny Stadin, GGC (Joy Mertzig)
13’ – Joy Mertzig, GGC (unassisted)
16’ – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Mariana Almanza)
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies held a 13-to-9 edge in overall shots, including a 6-1 margin in shots on goal
- GGC has scored five goals in the first half of its matches this season
- The team recorded four corner kicks
- The Grizzlies have opened the season with a pair of shutouts
News & Notes
- GGC improved to 2-0 on the season; Thomas dropped to 1-2 in 2019
- The Grizzlies lead the series history 3-1, including victories in each of the last two seasons by a 10-to-0 goal margin
- Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 8 in the NAIA preseason poll
- The Grizzlies have played the second of five straight road matches to open the season
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College travels to the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) for a tournament from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1. The Grizzlies face Rochester College (Mich.) in the opener Saturday, Aug. 31, at 4:30 p.m. before battling Cumberlands on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m.