Four different players found the back of the net as the Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team earned its first victory of the 2021 season, 4-1 against Baker University (Kansas) on Friday evening at the University of Mobile (Alabama).

The No. 16-ranked Grizzlies (1-0-1) scored twice in each half. They were efficient offensively, with 12 of their 17 shots being on goal and outshooting Baker by a commanding 17-6 margin. The team also had seven corner kicks.

Sophomore Marco Panaccione gave GGC a quick 1-0 lead with a goal in the fifth minute – the team's first tally of the season after going scoreless in Tuesday's season opener.

Later in the first half, junior Karim Tmimi increased the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 30th minute. Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Wallace started the scoring play by giving the ball to Tmimi.

A pair of freshmen added goals in the second half as the Grizzlies stretched the advantage. Jason Strambu tallied a goal in the 53rd minute after receiving a pass from freshman Justin Acosta. Then, Acosta scored an unassisted effort in the 66th minute for his first collegiate goal.

Tmimi also finished with a goal and an assist in the match, providing a pass on Panaccione's first goal of the night.

Baker (1-1) rounded out the scoring with a goal by Mohamet Cisse in the 70th minute.

Wallace recorded three saves in picking up the victory while protecting GGC's goal.
  After not scoring in 110 minutes in Tuesday's season opener, GGC wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard Friday night. Sophomore Marco Panaccione found the back of the net in the fifth minute after receiving a pass from junior Karim Tmimi. Tmimi would later add the team's second goal of the first half.

"We created a lot of chances that were converted into goals. We were able to rest some players. We have another match in 24 hours against another quality opponent," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
  5' – Marco Panaccione, GGC (Karim Tmimi)
30' – Karim Tmimi, GGC (Matthew Wallace)
53' – Jason Strambu, GGC (Justin Acosta)
66' – Justin Acosta, GGC (unassisted)
70' – Mohamet Cisse, Baker (unassisted)
 

• The Grizzlies outshot Baker by a 17-6 margin
• Junior Karim Tmimi attempted six shots for the Grizzlies
• Seventeen different GGC players played in the match
• Freshman Justin Acosta accounted for three points with a goal and an assist

• GGC improves to 1-0-1 in 2021, while Baker is now 1-1 this fall
• Georgia Gwinnett College is ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• Friday's contest marked GGC's first road match of the season
• The Grizzlies evened the series with Baker at one win apiece after the Wildcats picked up a victory at the University of Northwestern Ohio during the 2018 campaign

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 18-ranked University of Mobile (Alabama) on Saturday, August 28, at 8:30 p.m. The match was moved up from Sunday due to the impending weather conditions associated with Hurricane Ida in the Gulf of Mexico.