Box Score Sept. 6, 2014
Box Score
After a scoreless battle for nearly the full 90 minutes, the Georgia Gwinnett men’s soccer team surrendered an 86th-minute goal to Thomas (Ga.) to fall 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in Thomasville, Ga.
The 16th-ranked Grizzlies withstood a 16-shot barrage from the 18th-ranked Nighthawks as sophomore goalkeeper Lewis Sharpe made six saves. Lyle Grifford eventually broke the deadlock with just 4:44 remaining in the game to hand the Grizzlies’ their first loss of the year.
It was just the third regular season shutout for the Grizzlies (2-1) over three seasons. Thomas improved to 2-0-1 with the win.
The game was delayed for over a half hour during the opening frame due to inclement weather.
“We came out well at the start and got right after them,” said GGC head coach Steve DeCou. “We just struggled to get the momentum back after the delay. It shifted in their favor and they did a good job keeping it. They are a very good team and they came out and did what they needed to do.
“Their goal came on a turnover where they got it out wide, whipped the ball in and were able to finish on the end of it. We had a couple of opportunities of our own but it just didn’t go our way today.”
The teams have traded one-goal affairs each of the last two years as GGC won in Lawrenceville a season ago.
The Grizzlies, who have begun the season with three straight road games after a postponed game this past Wednesday, are set to make their home debut on Tuesday against Truett-McConnell.
Kickoff at the Grizzly Soccer Complex in Lawrenceville is set for 6 p.m.
“We will get better,” added DeCou. “Hopefully we can learn from today and we look forward to getting right back after it. This is another big week for us.”
