Box Score MACON – It took less than five minutes for the Georgia Gwinnett women's soccer team to get on the scoreboard on Friday evening, but a hat trick from Middle Georgia's Samantha Silva was ultimately the difference as the Grizzlies fell 4-2 to the Knights at Cassidy Field.
Tiffany Rodriguez had the Grizzlies off to a dream start to their road swing, as Georgia Barton split the defense with an incisive pass in the fifth minute to give GGC the early 1-0 lead.
"We looked strong at times today, but it just wasn't a good enough effort," GGC head coach Chris Kouns said. "I was very happy to see Tiffany get a goal and an assist today because her work rate was fantastic and that was well-deserved. That said, we need to be able to maintain pressure, focus and effort over the course of 90 minutes to start seeing the results that I think we're capable of producing."
The lead only proved temporary as Silva netted her first goal in the 16th minute, and she would continue to roll as the match moved into the second half putting the Knights ahead in the 48th and doubling the advantage just seven minutes later to make it 3-1.
Micayla Crenshaw, who assisted all three Silva goals, added a score of her own in the 69th minute before Amy Morland was able to reclaim one for the Green and Gray in the 73rd.
GGC would mount some chances over the match's final 17 minutes, ultimately out-shooting the Knights by a 24-15 margin, but it was all for naught as MGA goalkeeper Brooke Best picked up eight saves on the night.
The Grizzlies were originally slated to return to action on Saturday at Brewton-Parker, but that game has now been canceled. GGC will next play on Sept. 24 when they take a trip to 10th-ranked Mobile.
NOTES: GGC is 18-6-2 all-time vs. schools from the state of Georgia and 1-1 this season … Mary Vernetti's two goals this year give her a school-best 28 for her career … Kelsey Griswold, a senior defender, has played in all 61 matches in school history … GGC is 13-12-1 all-time in the month of September.
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