The Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team scored early and often in collecting its first victory of the spring season, a 5-0 road triumph against Florida College Saturday morning in Temple Terrace, Florida.

The Grizzlies (1-3) opened the scoring 20 seconds into the match when a long-distance shot by senior Natalie Ferrin was deflected into the goal by a Florida College defender. Junior Ellie Todd found the back of the net in the seventh minute as the visitors built an early 2-0 lead.

Junior Joy Mertzig tallied two goals in the match, with the first tally in the 43rd minute giving the Grizzlies a 3-0 halftime advantage. That goal was her first of the 2020-21 season. She added her second goal in the final minute of the contest.

Junior Grace Bullock rounded out GGC's balanced scoring attack with a goal in the 65th minute.

The Grizzlies outshot Florida College by a commanding 25-1 margin, including a 16-1 edge in shots on goal. Twenty-one different players saw action for the visitors. Freshman Matilda Johansson and sophomore Matilda Waldt combined as goalkeepers for the team's first shutout of the season.
  "We needed a performance like this. We got off to a fast start and it allowed us the opportunity to play everybody in the match. It was a rewarding day and hopefully the beginning of good things to come," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  The Grizzlies removed any suspense with two goals in the first seven minutes of the match. Senior Natalie Ferrin netted GGC's first goal just 20 seconds after the opening whistle. A goal from junior Ellie Todd gave the visitors more breathing room for their first win of the season.
  1' – Natalie Ferrin, GGC (unassisted)
7' – Ellie Todd, GGC (Lena Balck)
43' – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Ellie Todd)
65' – Grace Bullock, GGC (unassisted)
89' – Joy Mertzig, GGC (unassisted)
 

• GGC collected 25 shots, including 16 shots on goal, during the match
• Five different players registered three shots for the Grizzlies
• Junior Ellie Todd scored a goal and provided an assist
• The team recorded all six corner kicks in the match

• GGC improves to 1-3 this spring, while Florida College stands 1-8 on the season
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 19 in the final 2019 poll
• Saturday's match marked the first meeting between the two programs
• The Grizzlies have scored first in three of their four matches during the 2020-21 campaign

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Faulkner University (Alabama) on Thursday, February 25, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 5 p.m.