With newcomers scoring all the goals, the No. 23-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team opened the 2022 season with a 3-1 road triumph against Reinhardt University (Georgia) on a rain-soaked pitch Wednesday evening in Waleska, Georgia.

Junior Emanuele Sordi had a pair of first-half goals in his GGC debut. He found the back of the net in the sixth minute before tallying a goal in the 38th minute to give the Grizzlies (1-0-0) a 2-0 advantage.

Reinhardt (0-1-0) answered two minutes later with a goal from Blake White to cut GGC's lead to 2-1 before halftime.

The opening 45 minutes was played a heavy rain shower. However, the Grizzlies managed nine shots and had two unassisted goals despite the weather elements.

GGC outshot the Eagles by a 19-6 margin in the contest, including an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal.

Both teams battled evenly throughout most of the second half before the visitors scored an insurance goal from junior Odin Solheim in the 86th minute following a pass by senior Karim Tmimi.

All three of the Grizzlies' goals were scored by players making their GGC debut.

Solheim led the team with five shots while Sordi had four shots in the contest.
  "It was a good opening performance. You always find areas that need to be corrected, but overall it was a strong start. Coming to Reinhardt and scoring three goals is certainly pleasing," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
                The visitors did not let wet field conditions during the first half affect their play as junior Emanuele Sordi scored twice in the opening 38 minutes to build a 2-0 lead. Then, as the rain stopped for the second half, the veteran defensive unit limited Reinhardt to just three shots in the second half. Junior Odin Solheim added an insurance goal in the final five minutes of the contest to secure the road win.
  6' – Emanuele Sordi, GGC (unassisted)
38' – Emanuele Sordi, GGC (unassisted)
40' – Blake White, RU (Rafael Pais)
86' – Odin Solheim, GGC (Karim Tmimi)
 

• The Grizzlies outshot Reinhardt by a 19-6 margin, including an 8-1 edge in shots on goal
• Both teams were called for three offsides violations
• Reinhardt attempted four corner kicks in the contest
• Junior Odin Solheim led the Grizzlies with five shots

• GGC improves to 1-0-0 on the season, while Reinhardt drops to 0-1-0 this fall
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll
• The Grizzlies now have a 4-3 lead in the series history against Reinhardt
• The Grizzlies are 9-0-2 all-time in season openers

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Bryan College on Saturday, August 27, from Dayton, Tennessee, starting at 7 p.m.