Sophomore Saga Andersson didn't have much time to dwell upon earning a starting assignment only an hour before Wednesday night's 2023 season opener for the Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team.

The forward made the most of the opportunity, netting a pair of goals in a 2-1 triumph against Life University (Georgia) at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Andersson quickly made her presence known in the match. She buried a shot into the opposing net off a rebound with her left foot in the sixth minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The Helsingborg, Sweden, native got behind the Life defense following a pass from junior Aurora Miglio. Andersson raced to the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, but opposing goalkeeper Fernanda Ruiz was able to deflect the ball away. A quick sequence ensued within the left side of the box in front of the Running Eagles' goal. After a redirected ball from a Life defender, Andersson squared up for the left-footed shot that found the back of the open net before Ruiz was unable to get back to protect the goal.

GGC (1-0-0) used a fast start in the second half to grab the lead for good. The winning margin came in the 48th minute as Andersson floated a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper right corner of the goal. Ruiz leaped and got a piece of the ball, but the deflection hit the top goal netting before coming back to Ruiz's position in front of the net. However, officials ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line – accounting for the game-winning tally.

Andersson's two goals match her scoring production across 20 matches in the 2022 season.

"It is amazing feeling for the whole group to start the season with a win and have the support of my teammates," stated Andersson.

About her first goal, she stated, "I played the ball to Aurora, who found the space behind the defenders. The (Life) keeper came out and got a piece of it, but off a rebound I found the corner as the net was still open from the keeper still being off her line."

In between the two GGC goals, Life (0-1-0) tied the match, 1-1, in the 37th minute on a shot by Jeanne Brigand from 15 yards in front of the Grizzlies' net. The shot was placed into the left corner of the goal.

The Grizzlies outshot Life by a 9-8 margin, with the hosts enjoying a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. Freshman Riko Yasuzawa joined Andersson and Miglio in each registering three shots in the season-opening victory.

The visitors attempted seven corner kicks, including two within the last 10 minutes. A shot by Life's Lavinia Horning just passed above the GGC goal during the 86th minute of the match.


  "This is a very good win that I believe we'll look back on with pride because Life will prove to be a good team this season. We competed and found a way to win. What a way to get your coach's attention when you're a last-minute replacement as (Saga) went out and scored our two goals," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  Freshman Saga Andersson showed what she could do for the Grizzlies after finding out her starting assignment an hour before the match. The forward netted a pair of goals in the opening moments of each half to lead the team to victory in Wednesday's season-opening victory. She's already matched her 2022 goal production with the two goals.
6' – Saga Andersson, GGC (unassisted)
37' – Jeanne Brigand, LIFE (unassisted)
48' – Saga Andersson, GGC (unassisted)
 

• GGC outshot Life by a 9-8 margin, including a 5-1 edge in shots on goal
• Life registered seven of the eight corner kicks in the match
• Three different Grizzlies attempted three shots across the 90 minutes of action
• Junior goalkeeper Matilda Johansson collected her 18th career victory in front of the GGC goal

• GGC and Life opened the season Wednesday night
• The Grizzlies received votes in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• GGC now leads the series with a 4-0-1 record
• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 8-4-0 all-time in season openers
• The team also is 8-4-0 all-time in home openers

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Montreat College (North Carolina) on Saturday, August 26, at Black Mountain, North Carolina, starting at 2 p.m.