Box Score LAWRENCEVILLE – It was a dream debut for sophomore Matt Redgrave on Friday evening as the Englishman found the back of the net twice off of set pieces to lead the 13th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett men's soccer team past Talladega in 5-0 fashion at Grizzly Soccer Complex.
"It was a good start for me, but I'm still not as sharp as I want to be," Redgrave said. "It was great to score some goals, but in terms of fitness and performance, I think I can still raise it up two or three levels. I'm very happy for the team tonight, and I'm buzzing for tomorrow."
Redgrave, who joined the program after sitting out one season at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma last year, was just one of many bright spots for the Grizzlies in the first half as the team pounced on the visiting Tornadoes for four goals in the opening stanza.
"We did some very good things tonight and scored some great goals," GGC head coach Steve DeCou said. "It obviously wasn't perfect, but I'm pleased with the performance and now we have to put it past us and get ready for Davenport. I think we got a little bit complacent in the second half, but part of that is the coach in me talking. I'm looking forward to get back after it tomorrow."
Samuel Sampaio Gomes, who closed out the final regular season game of 2014 with a hat trick, picked up right where he left off with a goal just 13 minutes into the season. The tally proved to be a harbinger for what was to come as Redgrave came up from his spot in the heart of the Grizzly back line to score a stunning side volley off a Matti Puranen free kick less than six minutes later.
In the 25th minute, another newcomer in Martin Toribio opened his Grizzly account, and Redgrave concluded the torrid first half with a header in the 44th off a John O'Connor corner.
GGC finished the match with 20 shots, including 12 on goal, and Lewis Sharpe minded the net for the majority of the match for the Grizzlies, picking up four saves before handing it over to David Scott for the match's final 15 minutes.
Every healthy GGC player on the roster would play in the game's second half, as Talladega failed to put much together in the way off offense, ultimately going down a man when Nelson Castro picked up his second yellow card in the 65th.
Andrew Smith capped the performance for the Green and Gray in the 78th as he found the back of the net from distance to pick up his second career goal.
The Grizzly men will return to action on Saturday afternoon with a showdown against No. 1 Davenport to close out the 2015 Grizzly Classic. Davenport is coming off a 3-0 season-opening loss to No. 11 Thomas in the tournament's opening match, and kickoff on Saturday is slated for 4 p.m. The match will be streamed live on the Grizzly Digital Network.
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