Box Score WEST POINT, Ga. – Bristol Countess converted from the penalty spot with just over six minutes remaining on Wednesday night as the Georgia Gwinnett women's soccer team picked up its first road win of the season in a 2-1 decision over Point (Ga.) at River Bowl Stadium.
"Obviously, I'm pleased to finally get that road win, especially with three starters out," GGC head coach Chris Kouns said. "We certainly have to give credit to Point for their fight and effort tonight. They made it difficult for us. It wasn't always pretty, but at the end of the night, we found a way to win. That was nice to see."
Countess' strike marked her team-leading seventh goal of the season, and it ended a four-match goalless streak for the sophomore out of Harvest, Ala.
Tiffany Rodriguez, who guided the Grizzly attack for much of the evening, set up the deciding score as she saw her cross attempt batted down by a Point defender to earn the penalty kick. From there, Countess slotted it home to seal the victory.
Rodriguez, who has five goals and six assists on the year, hit the post and the crossbar over the course of an unlucky opening half, but she wouldn't come away completely empty-handed as she teed up the game's opening score with a corner kick that found the head of Caitlin Berry in the 37th minute.
In the second half, it would be a Point corner that evened the game. Kristabelle Rangel fired home the equalizer in the 53rd, and it would mark the team's second and final shot on target of the night.
For the game, GGC out-shot the Skyhawks 15-7.
The Grizzlies, who are currently riding a three-match winning streak and a school-record 11-match home streak, will return to Grizzly Soccer Complex on Saturday at 7 p.m. It will be GGC's second-ever Homecoming, and festivities will begin at 3:30 and run all the way up to kickoff. For more information, visit ggc.edu/homecoming.
NOTES: GGC is now 1-0-1 all-time vs. Point … The Grizzlies are 21-6-2 all-time vs. schools from the state of Georgia, including 4-1 this season … Defender Mary Vernetti, with 28 career goals, is GGC's all-time leading scorer … Kelsey Griswold, a senior defender has played in all 69 matches in school history … GGC is 19-4-3 all-time in the month of October.
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