Box Score

LAWRENCEVILLE - James Toombs' first career goal couldn't have come at a better time for the Georgia Gwinnett men's soccer team on Wednesday night as he helped the Grizzlies storm back in the second half to claim a 2-1 victory over visiting Talladega at Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Toombs, a sophomore out of Evans, Ga., was on the receiving end of a trademark set-up by GGC all-time assist leader Ibrahima Sissoko. The Norcross native took off up the right flank in the 55th minute, and served up the ball on a platter for Toombs directly in front of the Talladega goal. Toombs, who had been tormenting the Tornado defense with his pace, didn't let the opportunity pass, putting it into the back of the net.

The goal marked the third time this season that the Grizzlies have bounced back from a 1-0 deficit to tie a match, and just like on both previous occasions, the goal was just a teaser for what was to come as the Green and Gray ultimately grabbed the winner 12 minutes later.

Sissoko once again played the role of facilitator from the right side, putting the ball to Martin Lugo's feet in the box, and Lugo would put his back to goal and lay it off for Pierre Semudenge-Mujene for the go-ahead score.

"Wins like this show that we have the fight in us and we're not going to quit," GGC Head Coach Steve DeCou said. "We're going to persevere no matter what. Obviously, I'd like to not give up a goal, but learning to come back bodes well for the future. If we could learn to not give up a goal but still fight the same way we did tonight, we'll really start putting teams away."

With two assists, Sissoko now has eight for the season and a school-best 19 for his career. It was Mujene's second goal this season.

Despite surrendering a goal to Talladega's Roger Viladomiu in the 13th minute, the GGC defense stood strong, and bounced back from allowing nine shots in the opening stanza to stifle the Tornadoes to just two in the second half. For the game, the two sides were even with 11 shots apiece.

"We really felt this game was going to set the tone for this stretch run," DeCou said. "After that loss at Reinhardt, this was a chance to see how the group would respond. They showed that they were up for the fight, and sure, sometimes thing get a little overzealous, but it's a young team. They're learning how to fight and learn together as a group."

Both Tornado keeper Jose Rodriguez and Grizzly netminder Lewis Sharpe ended the night with four saves.

The match was the final home match of the month for GGC, and the Grizzlies will now play the next five on the road, beginning on Saturday with a trip to Spring Hill in Mobile, Ala.

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