Women’s soccer opens conference play with win

On Friday, Georgia State women’s soccer opened Sun Belt conference play with a 2-1 win over the UL Lafayette Cajuns. Two first half goals were enough to see the Panthers through.

The game got off to a quick start, with Whitney Ravan and Ashley Nagy both taking shots on goal within the first ten minutes, but neither were able to convert.

The pressure paid off in the tenth minute, with Panthers defender Jenna Moore rising to head a Margaret Bruemmer cross into the top left corner.

The lead didn’t last long, with the Cajuns grabbing an equalizer in the 18th minute. Kimberly Grasso took a shot that sailed over Panthers keeper Brie Haynes who had come off her line.

The Panthers struggled for an answer over the next 25 minutes, and came up with it in the 44th minute. Nagy darted in to the box and pulled the ball back for Fedele who fired a low shot into the bottom right corner.

The second half saw chances from both the Panthers and the Cajuns, but a combination of wayward shooting and smart saves from both goalkeepers saw the game end at 2-1.

“The win helps us build a lot of confidence. Last season UL Lafayette beat us at home on the opening weekend. Now we have to carry this momentum to Sunday and get another result,” said Head Coach Derek Leader.