Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

A goal by freshman Jenny Stadin in the second overtime period capped a long night for the No. 8-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team in its home opener, rallying for a 2-1 victory against Reinhardt University (Ga.) on Tuesday evening at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The match featured a two-hour lightning delay midway through the first half and the overtime contest ended just before midnight.

After surrendering a goal late in the first half, the Grizzlies (4-1-1) forced extra time with some late period magic of their own. Sophomore Joy Mertzig scored in the 84th minute, converting a crossing pass from junior Skylar Bertram.

GGC had two excellent scoring chances earlier in the second half when Mertzig was twice denied on a breakaway opportunity. Then, an offside call disallowed a goal for the team minutes before Mertzig's tying tally.

The home team kept up the offensive pressure in overtime, finding the back of the net for the game-winning goal in the 104th minute. Bertram dribbled the ball down the right sideline and found sophomore Addie Adame inside the 18-yard box in front of Reinhardt's goal. The ball managed to slip through the box, where Stadin alertly dodged a defender to put the ball into the empty net.

GGC and Reinhardt were playing an overtime match for the fourth time in six all-time encounters.


 
Coaches' Corner
"Joy's ability to read the game and create things shined again. She passes when she should pass and dribbles when she should dribble. It just worked tonight. Jenny created a smart finish at the end, waiting for the defender to make a move. That opened up the net for the winner," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies pressed for the match-tying goal in the final 15 minutes of the second half. The Reinhardt goalkeeper made a save on a GGC breakaway and a possible goal was disallowed due to an offside call. The team finally broke through in the 84th minute when junior Skylar Bertram sent a crossing pass into the 18-yard box, where sophomore Joy Mertzig buried a shot for the tying goal.
 
Goals
41' – Brianna Smotherman, RU (unassisted)
84' – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Skylar Bertram)
104' – Jenny Stadin, GGC (Addie Adame, Skylar Bertram)
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outshot Reinhardt by a 14-to-8 margin, including an 8-to-2 edge in the second half
• Freshman Jenny Stadin scored her third game-winning goal of the season
• Reinhardt attempted nine corner kicks compared to six corners for the Grizzlies
• Tuesday's match was the GGC's home opener after playing the first five matches on the road

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 4-1-1 on the season; Reinhardt drops to 2-3 this fall
• The Grizzlies are 5-3 in home openers
• GGC leads the series 4-1-1, with four meetings going into overtime
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 8 in the NAIA preseason poll

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College hosts No. 2-ranked Keiser University (Fla.) on Friday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m. from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.