Four second-half goals put an exclamation point on the No. 21-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team's 6-1 triumph against Middle Georgia State University on Wednesday evening at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The six goals – from five different players – are the most scored by the Grizzlies (3-1-2) since last season's season-opening victory against SCAD Savannah (Georgia). It also duplicated the six goals the team scored in a suspended match last Saturday against Brewton-Parker College (Georgia).

Senior Victoria Watson had an impact during the first half by contributing an assist on GGC's first goal and finding the back of the net herself two minutes later. The forward's crossing pass from the right side of the pitch found Grace Clark wide open near the far goal post to notch her first collegiate goal. The sophomore gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.

Then, Watson got behind the Knights' defense after a long strike from sophomore Vanna Darrell to tally her second goal of the season. That gave GGC a 2-0 halftime advantage.

The lead grew to four goals following goals by junior Aurora Miglio in the 55th minute and senior Kyara Armenta during the 69th minute.

Freshman Riko Yasuzawa found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career when her corner kick found the upper left corner of the goal in the 72nd minute.

Armenta capped the four-goal second half by scoring in the 81st minute for her second goal of the match and third tally of the fall campaign.

Middle Georgia State (1-3-1) netted its lone goal when Chloe Davies scored in the 71st minute.

The Grizzlies outshot the visitors by a commanding 24-7 edge, including a 12-4 margin in shots on goal. Senior Pernilla Westergren led the way with a match-high five shots, while Watson added four shots. Armenta recorded three shot attempts in the victory.


  "We overcame a slow start. However, once we started scoring, you could see the confidence changing in our play. We figured out their defense and then took control of the game," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  The Grizzlies' strong offensive play continued in Wednesday's midweek match, scoring six goals for the second straight time stepping onto the pitch. They also scored six times in a suspended match last Saturday. Sophomore Grace Clark opened the scoring with her first collegiate goal in the 28th minute. Senior Victoria Watson, who contributed to Clark's goal, found the back of the net herself two minutes later. GGC added four goals in the second half.
  28' – Grace Clark, GGC (Victoria Watson)
30' – Victoria Watson, GGC (Vanna Darrell)
55' – Aurora Miglio, GGC (unassisted)
69' – Kyara Armenta, GGC (unassisted)
71' – Chloe Davies, MGSU (unassisted)
72' – Riko Yasuzawa, GGC (unassisted)
81' – Kyara Armenta, GGC (Caroline Andersen)
 

• The Grizzlies attempted a season-high 24 shots on Wednesday
• Five different GGC players registered a goal in the match
• Both teams took six corner kicks across the 90 minutes of action
• Sophomore Grace Clark and freshman Riko Yasuzawa each scored their first collegiate goal in the triumph

• GGC improves to 3-1-2 in 2023; Middle Georgia State falls to 1-3-1 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 21 in the NAIA Top 25 poll, released on Wednesday, September 13
• GGC leads the all-time series by a 6-4 margin, including a 5-0 in matches played in Lawrenceville
• Georgia Gwinnett College scored a season-high six goals in Wednesday's victory

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Freed-Hardeman University on Saturday, September 16, at Henderson, Tennessee, starting at 2 p.m.