Box Score ATLANTA, Ga. -- Despite a strong comeback effort, the Belmont women's soccer team (1-5-1) was held off on the road Friday afternoon. The Bruins rebounded but fell, 2-1, at Georgia State (6-0-2).
The first stanza got off to a quick start with GSU notching back-to-back corner kicks in the first four minutes of action. The Panthers stayed on the hunt for a scoring opportunity but the Bruins dug in their collective heels and interrupted several passes and crosses. The onslaught paid off as the Panthers found the back of the net for the lone goal of the first stanza in the 21st minute. Undaunted, Belmont continued to fight on.
Three minutes later, BU earned a corner kick and but saw its on goal attempt blocked. Both teams kept fresh legs in the rotation and the new energy only bolstered Belmont's defensive effort as the first half wound down. The final shot of the half would come from freshman Megan Michela (Carol Stream, Ill.) but GSU was able to come away with the save to secure a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
The second half was more evenly matched with each team tallying five shots but it would be the Bruins who would be the early aggressor. Junior Brittany Coca (Riverview, Fla.) notched the first shot of the half in the 54th minute after intense back and forth action on both sides of the midline. Three minutes later, sophomore Tara Austin (Beaumont, Texas) would fire a rocket toward the Georgia State goal.
In the 61st minute, GSU would notch what would become the gamewinner off a header. Despite the two goal deficit, the Bruins continued to fight on the hunt for a chance to close the gap. The opportunity finally came in the 77th minute. Freshman Emily Whitcomb (Elmhurst, Ill.) used a ball from junior Meg Howard (Brentwood, Tenn.) to drill an shot that got past the Panthers' keeper to get the Bruins on the board. GSU doubled down on its defensive efforts as the Bruins ramped up their intensity. As time neared expiration, Belmont saw one more chance. In the 87th minute, a Michela header nearly missed the mark. The Panthers burned the clock for the remainder of regulation to hold on for the 2-1 victory.
"Georgia state is a quality team and this game helped us to prepare or conference. We did not start the game with the energy needed," said Head Coach Heather Henson. "I am proud of the ladies for rising to the challenge in the second half and equaling the shot count. The goal we scored was from great execution of our game plan."
Austin and Michela led BU with two shots apiece.
Between the posts, junior Stephanie Bukovec (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) finished with three saves.
Georgia State held the advantage in shots, 14-7, and corner kicks, 10-3.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday at Rose Park. The Bruins host Troy beginning at 3 p.m. The matchup can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWSoccer) will also be available.
Fans in attendance of Sunday's match at Rose Park can participate in a halftime contest to "shoot for shirts" hanging inside the goal. The team will also host a Reunion for Summer Campers and will autograph schedule posters and jerseys after the end of the match.
