The Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team had an emotional catalyst for postseason play with a 3-1 home victory against NCAA Division II University of North Georgia Thursday evening in the regular-season finale.

Seniors Diego Milessi, Aleksandar Rajkovic and Khaled Qasum each found the back of the net for the Grizzlies.

GGC (6-7-4) recorded 13 of its 20 shots in the first half as the hosts outshot the visiting Nighthawks (8-7-2) by a commanding 20-4 margin.

Milessi buried a counter attack in the 35th minute to give GGC a 1-0 lead. Senior Antoine Ferez started the scoring chance by taking a long dribble from midfield. Qasum's crossing pass found Milessi at the top of the opposing six-yard box. He finished off the play for the opening score.

North Georgia answered with a goal from Will Bently to square the contest, 1-1, with 60 seconds left before the halftime intermission.

Rajkovic scored his first goal of the 2023 season to give the Grizzlies their second lead of the night, 2-1, in the 61st minute following a beautiful pass from senior Odin Solheim.

Later, Qasum perfectly placed a one-time shot 25 yards from the North Georgia goal to give GGC a 3-1 lead in the 85th minute.

Senior Emanuele Sordi and Solheim each attempted six shots to pace the Grizzlies' offensive attack.

Junior goalkeeper Ron Boaz played all 90 minutes and picked up his first win of the season and ninth career triumph.


  "This was our best performance in over a month and gives us a confidence boost going into the conference tournament. I was pleased with our attack and the number of chances we created. We are trending in the right direction and I feel good about what we can do," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
  The Grizzlies came out firing on all cylinders in the regular-season finale, creating 13 shots in the first half. Then, GGC got second-half goals from seniors Aleksandar Rajkovic and Khaled Qasum to breakaway from a 1-1 halftime deadlock against the NCAA Division II opponent.
  35' – Diego Milessi, GGC (Khaled Qasum, Antoine Ferez)
44' – Will Bentley, UNG (unassisted)
61' – Aleksandar Rajkovic, GGC (Odin Solheim)
85' – Khaled Qasum, GGC (unassisted)
 

• The Grizzlies outshot North Georgia by a 20-4 margin, including a 13-1 edge in the first half
• GGC recorded eight corner kicks across 90 minutes of action
• Senior Aleksandar Rajkovic scored his first goal of the 2023 season
• Seniors Odin Solheim and Emanuele Sordi each attempted six shots in the victory

• GGC improves to 6-7-4 this fall; North Georgia drops to 8-7-2 on the season
• Thursday's match marked the first meeting between the two colleges
• The Grizzlies have a 7-2-1 all-time record against opponents from the NCAA collegiate ranks
• The team recorded four of its six victories at the Grizzly Soccer Complex this season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play Florida National University in a semifinal match of the 2023 Continental Athletic Conference Soccer Championship Tournament on Thursday, November 9, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 5 p.m.