The No. 25-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team displayed determination and a strong second half offensive attack to secure a monumental 3-3 draw against No. 12 Life University (Georgia) at the Grizzly Soccer Complex. The result continues the team's strong late-season play and builds more positive momentum for the postseason.
Life (14-1-1) controlled possession early in the match. However, GGC (8-5-4) broke through in the 35th minute, taking a 1-0 advantage on the Grizzlies' first shot as sophomore
Nova Eskelinen scored after receiving a long pass and quickly building an attack. It was her second tally of the season.
Just before halftime, Life responded to square the match at 1-1 as Sacha Millward successfully converted a penalty kick goal in the 43rd minute.
Millward scored again early in the second half, putting the visitors ahead 2-1 in the 51st minute.
GGC responded in the 65th minute with junior
Jade Perrin launching a powerful shot into the upper right corner of the goal from outside the 18-yard box, tying the match at 2-2.
The hosts regained the lead 10 minutes later. Freshman
Barbora Kadlecova made a well-placed free kick into the box in front of the opposing goal. Sophomore
Kathrine Lindenberg took things over from there, beating the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation for a 3-2 lead.
However, Millward completed a hat trick in the 81st minute, scoring from close range to even the contest at 3-3.
The match was evenly matched, with Life holding a narrow 13-12 advantage in total shots. However, GGC registered nine shots on goal and had 10 of its 12 shots during the strong second half.
Coach's Corner
"It was an entertaining match. It's encouraging to see us make an adjustment and to a formation that we haven't used a lot this year. This match shows that we are not that far away from competing against the top teams. I'm pretty pleased with the quality of soccer tonight," said Head Coach
Dr. Mike Giuliano.
Turning Point
With Georgia Gwinnett trailing 2-1, sophomore
Jade Perrin provided the spark the Grizzlies needed in the second half. The defender successfully converted a strong shot from outside the box in the 65th minute to square the match at 2-2. That shifted momentum back to GGC. Her goal arrived at a key moment, steadying the team after it had lost the lead and paving the way for the exciting back-and-forth finish that ended in a 3-3 draw.
Goals
35' –
Nova Eskelinen, GGC (Unassisted)
43' – Sacha Millward, Life (Penalty kick)
51' – Sacha Millward, Life (Unassisted)
65' –
Jade Perrin, GGC (Unassisted)
76' –
Kathrine Lindenberg, GGC (
Barbora Kadlecova)
81' – Sacha Millward, GGC (Unassisted)
Inside The Numbers
- Life held a slight 13-12 shot advantage, but GGC registered nine shots on goal and had 10 shots in the second half
- Sophomore Kathrine Lindenberg scored her fourth goal of the season
- Sophomore Nova Eskelinen had a team-best four shots in Wednesday's match
- Twenty-two different GGC players appeared in the contest
News & Notes
- GGC now stands 8-5-4 this fall; Life is 14-1-1 on the season
- The Grizzlies are ranked No. 25 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Life stood No. 12 in the same poll
- GGC continues to lead the series with the Running Eagles by a 4-1-2 margin
- The team is 2-2-1 against nationally ranked opponents this season
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Milligan University (Tennessee) for Senior Day on Saturday, October 25, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 1 p.m.
