Box Score LAWRENCEVILLE – It was a truly memorable evening at Grizzly Soccer Complex on Sunday as the 13th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett men's soccer team scored three times in a span of nine minutes to pick up a 4-3 victory over visiting Southeastern (Fla.) to remain undefeated on the season.
After surrendering three goals in the first half for the first time in school history, it didn't appear to be GGC's day as chance after chance came up just short. That would all change in the game's last 13 minutes as set piece goals from Matt Redgrave and Andrew White as well as a strike from Martin Lugo handed the Green and Gray the victory.
"This was one of the best come-from-behind wins that we had since I've been here," GGC head coach Steve DeCou said. "I'm really pleased with how we fought back into it tonight, but we aren't going to be able to have a first half like that in the national tournament. We needed to start the match better, but I'm very happy with how we were able to finish it off."
The match seemed to start off well enough for the Grizzlies (3-0-1) as Redgrave came up from his post in the middle of the GGC back line to score off of a John O'Connor corner kick in the 11th minute. However, the game would turn completely on its head in the ensuing half-hour as Jake Van Der Luit equalized three minutes later, and a strike from Christian Bores in the 38th put GGC behind. Pedro Iva Dias netted the third goal for the Fire (2-1) in the 40th, converting from the penalty spot to make it 3-1.
The second half would see the chances mount up as GGC ultimately finished the match with 14 shots, including nine on target, but it took another set piece for the comeback to officially get started. A free kick from Matti Puranen from just outside the left side of the box found the head of Redgrave once again, and he nodded it in the direction of fellow central defender White to make it 3-2.
The equalizer would come just five minutes later as Jon Conner raced down the left side of the field and ultimately connected with Lugo in front of goal.
It was the first score of the season for Lugo, GGC's lone senior, and the Lawrenceville native now stands just five goals shy of tying Tom Butler's career goal record of 28.
Redgrave and Puranen would link up once again from a free kick in the 87th minute as the sophomore out of Walthamstow, England, nodded home his fourth goal in as many games this season to complete the Grizzly rally.
"A lot of credit goes to Matt and Andy for scoring the goals, but they've been getting great service from the likes of Matti and John this season too," DeCou said. "We knew we needed a better presence in the air this season, and that's one of the reasons we brought those guys in. Of course, we'd like to score more from the run of play, but it's also a good thing to be dangerous off of set pieces, and that's what we've been so far this season."
"Matti and John put in some great balls today," Redgrave added, echoing DeCou's sentiments. "Without them, I can't score the goals, so it's a team effort all around. I just attacked the ball each time, and fortunately, I was able to score again."
GGC is off to its best start since the 2012 season, which was the first in school history. The team will look to keep it going next week as they hit the road for Goshen, Ind., to take on Goshen and Holy Cross.
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