The No. 22 Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team came back strong from an early deficit as top-ranked William Carey University scored a 4-1 home victory Thursday evening in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was a match featuring nationally ranked programs.

Mariangela Jimenez netted two goals and provided an assist to lead the Crusaders (13-0-0). She found the back of the net in the 14th minute before adding a tally in the 24th minute as the hosts built a 2-0 lead.

William Carey's Kristina Decker gave the team a 3-0 halftime advantage with a goal in the final minute of the first half.

The Crusaders extended their lead to 4-0 with a goal from Karen Vilau in the 63rd minute. The team had come into the match averaging seven goals in its previous 12 matches.

The Grizzlies (5-3-3) got on the scoreboard in the 85th minute on the first collegiate goal by freshman Poppy Mortimer. Sophomore Saga Andersson created the scoring chance with a pass to Mortimer.

Five of GGC's seven shots and all four of its corner kicks came in the second half.
  Top-ranked William Carey got a pair of goals and one assist from Mariangela Jimenez to pick up the home victory. Her two goals came in the first 24 minutes of the match. Thirteen of the Crusaders' 27 shots were on goal.
  14' – Mariangela Jimenez, WCU (Julia Herbst)
24' – Mariangela Jimenez, WCU (Alexis Arnoult)
45' – Kristina Decker, WCU (Zalma Torres)
63' – Karen Vilau, WCU (Mariangela Jimenez)
85' – Poppy Mortimer, GGC (Saga Andersson)
 

• William Carey outshot the Grizzlies by a 27-7 margin, including a 13-4 edge in shots on goal
• All four of GGC's corner kicks came in the second half
• Both teams were called for offsides once across the 90 minutes of action on Thursday

• GGC is now 5-3-3 in 2023; William Carey improves to 13-0 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 22 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll of the season; William Carey stood No. 1 in the same poll
• GGC is 2-2-2 away from Lawrenceville this season

Georgia Gwinnett College's road trip continues with a match at the University of Mobile on Saturday, October 7, in Mobile, Alabama, starting at 2 p.m.