The Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team scored twice in the opening 12 minutes of the second half to open the 2025 season with a 2-0 victory against Campbellsville University (Kentucky) in Thursday evening's action at the Dalton State Classic in Dalton, Georgia.

Newcomers shined on the offensive and defensive ends of the pitch for GGC (1-0-0).

Sophomore Diego Pereira and freshman Luka Colic found the back of the net for the Grizzlies. Periera headed a shot past Campbellsville goalkeeper Malthe Schou in the 51st minute to break a scoreless deadlock. Six minutes later, Colic successfully converted a shot in front of an open goal, after receiving a pass from sophomore Nic Peranitsch.

Campbellsville (0-1-0) attempted 12 of its 14 shots during the second half. All of those efforts were thwarted by GGC freshman goalkeeper Victor Darub, with four second half saves leading to the shutout in his collegiate debut.

The Grizzlies maintained a 5-2 advantage in shots and corner kicks during the scoreless first half. Sophomore Alejandro Contrera, the 2024 Continental Athletic Conference Player of the Year and third-team NAIA All-American, joined classmate Pedro Nunes and freshman Ousmane Fall in leading the team with each having two shot attempts. The team had 12 shots, highlighted by five being on goal, in the season opener.

GGC improves to 12-0-2 all-time in season openers.
 
Coach's Corner
"We are not where we need to be, but we converted our moments in dangerous areas to pick up a win in the season opener. We just won some battles and balls to create the goals. We turned up the pressure. After scoring early in the second half, the guys did a good job of maintaining the clean sheet (shutout)," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies registered two goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half after the two teams had battled to a scoreless opening 45 minutes. Sophomore Diego Pereira and freshman Luka Colic found the back of the net for the first time in their GGC careers. The early offensive surge paved the way for the 2025 season-opening win.
 
Goals
51' – Diego Pereira, GGC (Pedro Nunes)
57' – Luka Colic, GGC (Nic Peranitsch)
 
Inside The Numbers

• Campbellsville outshot GGC by a 14-12 margin
• Seventeen different players appeared in Thursday's season opener
• Freshman goalkeeper Victor Darub made four second half saves to post a shutout in his collegiate debut
• The Grizzlies attempted six corner kicks across the 90 minutes of action

News & Notes

• Both teams opened the 2025 campaign on Thursday
• The Grizzlies received votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll, released on Wednesday, August 20, based on a vote among a nationwide panel of coaches
• GGC has won its two all-time matches against the Tigers, with each being in shutouts
• The team improves to 12-0-2 all-time in season openers

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the Dalton State Classic against Brescia University (Kentucky) on Saturday, August 23, at Dalton, Georgia, beginning at 11 a.m.