How Swede it is.

Swedish natives Joy Mertzig and Stina Andersson scored goals as the No. 20-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team closed out its season-opening week in grand style with a commanding 2-0 victory at Bethel University (Tenn.) on Sunday afternoon.

With their third straight victory, the Grizzlies have matched the 2013 campaign for the best start (3-0) to a season.

Each of the team's wins have come in shutout fashion. At Bethel, junior goalkeeper Elisa Randel stopped only one shot on goal throughout the 90-minute match. She has had a role in all three shutouts, combining with junior Sophie Hoare for a shutout in last Friday's win against Thomas University (Ga.).

GGC, playing on the road for the first time this season, had an impressive 27-to-3 shot advantage in the match, led by Mertzig, a freshman from Stockholm, Sweden with 13 shots. One of those shots accounted for the first goal in the match, coming in the final minute of the first half. Then, Andersson, a senior from Norrkoping, Sweden, converted a corner kick for a key insurance goal in the final stages of the second period.
 
Coach's Corner
"This was a survival day, with today's match being played in hot and humid weather conditions. We needed to hold on and get back home with a win. I couldn't be more pleased with the defensive effort, with three consecutive shutouts. I like how we managed the game, after getting the second goal," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies controlled the first half with 13 shots. However, Bethel's defensive effort kept the visitors off the scoreboard. That changed in the final stages of the inaugural 45 minutes as freshman Joy Mertzig converted a pass from classmate Maya Alibudbud for the first goal of the match.
 
Goals
45' – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Maya Alibudbud)
79' – Stina Andersson, GGC (Victoria Bischof)

 

Inside The Numbers

• GGC held a commanding 27-to-3 shot advantage, including a 13-0 edge in the first half
• Freshman Joy Mertzig attempted 13 shots
• The Grizzlies have outscored the opposition 10-0 through the first three matches
• Nineteen players saw action for GGC in the match, played in hot and humid weather conditions

 
News & Notes

• GGC improves to 3-0 on the season; Bethel falls to 2-2 in 2018
• Sunday's meeting marked the first contest played between the two colleges
• The Grizzlies' 3-0 start to a season matches the 2013 campaign for best start in program history
• GGC is 17-1-2 in its last 20 matches

 
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College hosts St. Thomas University (Fla.) Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.