The Georgia Gwinnett women's soccer team snapped its two-game losing streak on Friday evening as the Grizzlies posted a 1-1 draw against Johnson & Wales (Fla.) at the Keiser University Soccer Complex in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"Today was a challenging match for us," stated GGC head coach Chris Kouns.  "We had seven girls battling illness and just played a little winded in the last third of the game.  We definitely had opportunities to win today's match, but that little extra burst wasn't there due to sickness.  All credit goes to Johnson & Wales on a very tough battle."

After a scoreless first half of play, the Grizzlies (4-3-1) struck first in the 48th minute to take the 1-0 lead.  On a throw-in by junior Samantha Buchanan, senior midfielder Tiffany Rodriguez gathered the ball and lifted a pass to the opposite side of the 18-yard box where Ana Gonzalez ripped a one-timer into the back of the net.  The strike was Gonzalez's fourth goal of the season, tying junior Amy Morland for the GGC lead.

Johnson & Wales (2-3-1) scored the equalizer in the 65th minute when a shot by Samantha Klein deflected off of GGC goalkeeper Courtney McKenzie's save attempt and into the net.  The shot by Klein was set up by a free kick by Ainsley Blanchette after she was fouled by the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies had two opportunities to score the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute of regulation, but back-to-back shots by Dominique Fletcher and Rodriguez bounced off the crossbar before an offside was called, halting GGC's offensive surge in JWU's end of the field.

The match concluded with a 1-1 draw after 110 minutes and two overtime periods.  McKenzie held strong for the Grizzlies, collecting two crucial saves on the evening.  GGC's defensive line, including late minute deflections by defender Stina Andersson, held strong throughout the match, allowing the Wildcats just five shots on the evening.

Georgia Gwinnett is back in action on Sunday when it faces off with No. 9 Keiser (Fla.).  First touch from the Keiser University Soccer Complex in West Palm Beach, Fla, is set for 11:00 a.m.

Scoring Summary
47:51 – (GGC) Ana Gonzalez, assisted by Tiffany Rodriguez and Samantha Buchanan
64:52 – (JWU) Samantha Klein, assisted by Ainsley Blanchette

By the Numbers
2 – Days until the Grizzlies face No. 9 Keiser
2 – Saves made by GGC goalkeeper Courtney McKenzie
6 – Shots on goal for the Grizzlies
10 – Days until GGC battles WVU Tech
24 – Number of shots taken by the Grizzlies
29 – Combined shots taken in the match by GGC and JWU

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