Freshman Caroline Andersen scored the first goals of her collegiate career and assisted on two other tallies as the No. 21-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team collected a commanding 6-2 victory against Thomas University (Georgia) on Friday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The Grizzlies (5-1-3) scored three goals in each half – from 11 shots on goal and 13 total shots.

Andersen set up the last two goals of the first half before netting the host's first two tallies to open the second half.

Her first assist occurred in the 15th minute when she crossed the ball to senior Kyara Armenta for a quick strike into the Thomas net. It didn't take long for her to deliver another crossing pass, this one from the right side to junior Aurora Miglio, for a 3-0 GGC lead in the 27th minute.

Andersen's first collegiate goal came four minutes into the second half as the Grizzlies once again built a three-goal lead. She then saved her best goal-scoring effort when she drilled a shot from the top of the 18-yard box after a direct pass in a corner kick play from senior Pernilla Westergren in the 54th minute.

"I caught a peak at Pernilla and I was hoping she saw me too, because I didn't want to say anything to draw attention to myself. She delivered me the ball and I immediately took the shot. The next thing I knew my teammates were congratulating me (after scoring the goal)," said Andersen of her second tally of the match.

Meanwhile, Armenta converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute to go along with her early first-half effort – scoring multiple goals for the third time in GGC's last four matches. The forward has scored a career-high nine goals this season.

Sophomore Grace Clark opened the scoring in the fourth minute with her second goal of the season.

Thomas (4-4-1) got on the scoreboard in the 42nd minute on a goal by Kaitlyn Herb that trimmed the Grizzlies' halftime advantage to 3-1. Aquene Tollefson then bent a shot from 20 yards away into the upper left corner of the opposing net during the 68th minute.

Armenta led GGC with three shots while sophomore Kendra Davis, Andersen and Miglio each tallied two shots in the victory.

Junior goalkeeper Matilda Johansson recorded six saves in picking up her fifth win of the season.


  "I liked that we created our offensive chances in different ways. Caroline (Andersen) was absolutely amazing tonight. You could see us gaining confidence after the fast start," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  Freshman Caroline Andersen introduced herself to the GGC faithful at the Grizzly Soccer Complex on Friday night. The midfielder set up two first-half goals to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead. Then, she tallied consecutive goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half to move the hosts on top 5-1.
  4' – Grace Clark, GGC (unassisted)
15' – Kyara Armenta, GGC (Caroline Andersen)
27' – Aurora Miglio, GGC (Caroline Andersen)
42' – Kaitlyn Herb, TU (Pearl Mortimer, Aquene Tollefson)
49' – Caroline Andersen, GGC (unassisted)
54' – Caroline Andersen, GGC (Pernilla Westergren)
68' – Aquene Tollefson, TU (unassisted)
82' – Kyara Armenta, GGC (Penalty kick)
 

• The Grizzlies registered eight of their 13 shots during the second half
• Thomas attempted five corner kicks compared to just two corner kicks for GGC across Friday's action
• Junior goalkeeper Matilda Johansson made six saves in picking up her fifth win of the season
• Eight different players had a shot in the victory

• GGC improves to 5-1-3 this fall; Thomas drops to 4-4-1 in 2023
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 21 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll of the season
• GGC's six goals are the second most tallied in the nine-match series history with Thomas
• Georgia Gwinnett College has scored 18 goals in its last three appearances the Grizzly Soccer Complex turf

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 16-ranked Cumberland University (Tennessee) on Tuesday, September 26, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 4 p.m.