Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano sought a quick start from the Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team in its second home match of the fall season.

The No. 20-ranked Grizzlies (2-0) answered the call, scoring twice in the opening nine minutes of the match and having a 4-0 lead by halftime in coasting to a convincing 7-0 victory against Thomas University (Ga.) on Friday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Senior Macarena Errazuriz converted corner kicks into the back of the net during the third and ninth minutes of the match to give the hosts the quick 2-0 advantage. Both goals were set up by senior Ana Gonzalez.



Then, freshman Joy Mertzig scored the first of her two goals in the 26th minute for the third goal of the match. She later scored on a breakaway 10 minutes into the second half.

Classmate Lena Balck rounded out the multiple-goal efforts with tallies in the 29th and 75th minutes. Senior Lauren Moss added a goal in the late stages of the second half.

GGC opens a season with two victories for the first time since 2015. Both victories have come in shutouts. The team registered a 1-0 win against No. 15 Tennessee Wesleyan University on Tuesday.
 
Coach's Corner
"We had fewer shots than Tuesday, but we scored more goals. Our finishing rate was good. Where height is an important element in basketball, it's the same for pace in soccer. We're fortunate to have players that set a lot of pace this year. I'm very pleased. Being productive early was a point of emphasis (after being shutout in the first half in the season opener). We wanted to make the first 10 minutes as hard as it could be for a team (Thomas) that was playing in its season opener," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies started the match by scoring two goals in the first nine minutes of action. Both goals were similar as they came off corner kicks from the right side of the formation. Each time, senior Ana Gonzalez served a ball into the six-yard box. Then, senior Macarena Errazuriz found the back of the net with a header.
 
Goals
3' – Macarena Errazuriz, CCG (Ana Gonzalez)
9' – Macarena Errazuriz, GGC (Ana Gonzalez)
26' – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Caitlin Berry, Maddy Keenan)
29' – Lena Balck, GGC (Addie Adame)
55' – Joy Mertzig, GGC (unassisted)
75' – Lena Balck, GGC (unassisted)
88' – Lauren Moss, GGC (unassisted)
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC outshot Thomas 16-to-5 in the match, with nine of its shots being on goal
• Three players registered two goals for the Grizzlies
• Senior Ana Gonzalez provided two assists in the victory
• The Grizzlies registered their second straight shutout

 News & Notes

• GGC improves to 2-0 this fall; Thomas stands 0-1 on the season
• GGC has posted shutouts in each of its first two matches, outscoring the opposing 8-0
• The Grizzlies have won two of the three meetings between the two Georgia colleges, with the home team winning all of the matches
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• The Grizzlies recorded their first 2-0 start to a season since 2015

 
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College heads to Bethel University (Tenn.) for the team's first road match of the season Sunday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m. from McKenzie, Tenn.