Box Score Nov. 4, 2013
Box Score
Seniors Jocelyn Baker and Amanda Dale combined for eight points to lead the Georgia Gwinnett women’s soccer team to a 6-0 victory over Emmanuel College on Senior Night Monday evening in Lawrenceville in the Grizzlies’ regular-season finale.
Georgia Gwinnett (14-3-1) scored three times in each half and blitzed Emmanuel (6-11-1) with 20 shots to finish the season on a program-record six-game winning streak. The Grizzlies won 10 of their final 11 games, dropping just one contest since Sep. 15.
Up next is the Association of Independent Institutions Championship Tournament in Lawrenceville Nov. 15-16, when the host Grizzlies will play as the tournament’s third seed.
On a night when Baker, Dale, Blake DiSpigna and Hannah Eison played their final home games in the regular season, the Grizzlies sent the seniors off in style with their ninth shutout of the season.
The Grizzlies rank in the nation’s top 10 in shutouts and goals allowed per game (0.67). The team surrendered just 12 total scores in 18 contests.
Mackenzie Bailey added a pair of assists Monday night.
“Really what you want to do when you honor the seniors is to have a great game,” said Grizzlies head coach Domenic Martelli after Monday’s victory. “We had some beautiful goals all night and a lot of players got in and played well, creating some good chances.”
Mo Gutierrez made a leaping save in the first half on a free kick, stopping the Lions’ lone chance on goal.
Meanwhile, the GGC attack got going early and kept up the pressure.
Sara Lindell opened the scoring in the 14th minute, using a through ball from Baker. Baker then tallied her second assist just eight minutes later, finding a streaking Mary Vernetti for a 2-0 GGC advantage.
Nikki LeFevre capitalized in traffic after a feed from Kenzie Gray just before halftime as the Grizzlies took a 3-0 lead into the break.
Dale took over from there. The forward scored twice on passes from Mackenzie Bailey in the 49th and 67th minutes as the Grizzlies converted against Emmanuel’s offside trap.
Baker capped the scoring in the 76th minute for GGC as the senior finished with four points on the night.
Dale (11 goals), Vernetti (8), LeFevre (7) and Baker (6) finish the regular season as the Grizzlies’ scoring leaders.
“Now our first season has ended and we begin our second season- the postseason,” added Martelli. “Now we move forward and the challenge is, where do we go from here?"
Tournament draws and schedule of play will be released Tuesday. The Grizzlies will be one of four A.I.I. squads looking to capture the automatic berth to the NAIA national tournament.
