The No. 16-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team posted its third straight shutout in winning its fourth consecutive match, a 2-0 victory against Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday night from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Junior Juan Cruz Parisi Sitjar gave the Grizzlies (6-2-1) an early 1-0 lead when he headed in a crossing pass from sophomore Khaled Qasum in the sixth minute. Qasum started the scoring play with a left corner kick. The visiting Knights headed the ball right back to Qasum, who rocketed a pass toward the far goal post and a wide open Parisi Sitjar. He deposited the ball into the goal.

GGC extended its lead just before halftime when freshman Jack Brown scored his third goal of the season. His shot curved into the upper right corner of the goal from the semicircle of the 18-yard box in front of the Middle Georgia State goal. It came in the 43rd minute and was set up by a long pass from junior Thomas Herwig.

Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Wallace, the current Continental Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, made five saves, including four during the second half, to collect the shutout. He improved to 5-2-1 with his fourth shutout of the season.

The Grizzlies outshot MGSU (0-6) by a 12-9 margin, including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Both teams attempted five shots during the second half.

Georgia Gwinnett won all three of its matches during the recent home stand, outscoring the opposition by a 10-0 combined score.


  "We're where we need to be at this mid-point in the season. We did enough to win and at the end of the day that's all that matters. We have some tired players after having three matches in the past six days with the short bench," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
                Goals in the first and last six minutes of the first half established a 2-0 lead for the No. 16-ranked Grizzlies. Freshman Jack Brown gave the hosts the two-goal lead with less than three minutes before halftime. His shot from 20 yards evaded a diving Middle Georgia State goalkeeper James Price to place into the upper right corner of the opposing goal. GGC sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Wallace made sure the two-goal advantage stood up by stopping all four of Knights' shot in the second half.
  6' – Juan Cruz Parisi Sitjar, GGC (Khaled Qasum)
43' – Jack Brown, GGC (Thomas Herwig)
 

• The Grizzlies outshot Middle Georgia State by a 12-9 margin
• Eight of GGC's shots were on goal
• Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Wallace made five saves for his third consecutive shutout
• Both teams attempted five corner kicks across the 90 minutes of action

• GGC improves to 6-2-1 in 2021, while Middle Georgia State stands 0-6 this fall
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 16 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies lead the series by a 4-0-1 margin
• GGC outscored the opposition 10-0 during the three-match home stand

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Montreat College (North Carolina) on Saturday, October 9, at 3 p.m. from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.