Three second-half goals led the No. 22-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory at Montreat College (North Carolina) in Saturday evening's 2025 season opener in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

The Grizzlies (1-0-0) found the back of the net twice within a four-minute span midway through the second half to pick up the road triumph.

Freshman Camila Madriz Figueroa tallied a goal and provided an assist to lead the second-half surge. She successfully converted a one-on-one scoring opportunity against Montreat goalkeeper Anna Weissenfluh in the 64th minute. Junior Jessica Fuentes set up the score with a strategically placed long pass.

A few minutes later, Madriz Figueroa set up a goal by junior Kayla Maguire to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 advantage.

Senior Natalie Maguire found the back of the net for the first time in 2025 with another one-on-one scoring opportunity in the 80th minute.

The lone first half goal came as sophomore Kathrine Lindenberg buried a shot from 15 yards into the lower left corner of the goal in the 29th minute. The season's initial goal was set up by a pass from freshman Hannah Lorenz.

GGC held a commanding 25-8 shot advantage, with 15 shots being on the opposing goal. Madriz Figueroa led the charge with five shot attempts, while sophomore Gabby Stone and Fuentes each registered three shots.

Sophomore goalkeeper Elle Sarter made five saves to record the shutout in her first career start.

The Grizzlies have now won five consecutive season openers.
 
Coach's Corner
"We have a lot of new pieces, so it took us some time to get comfortable. That happened in the second half. I am pleased that this group is committed to our new style of soccer. We are a deep team. The defense played well, and Elle got the shutout in her first career start," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
 
Turning Point
After not converting in its first half one-on-one offensive opportunities, GGC put things together over the course of the second 45 minutes. Freshman Camila Madriz Figueroa found the back of the net after getting behind the defense in the 64th minute. Later, senior Natalie Maguire scored in similar fashion to round out the team's offensive production.
 
Goals
29' – Kathrine Lindenberg, GGC (Hannah Lorenz)
64' – Camila Madriz Figueroa, GGC (Jessica Fuentes and Alliyah Rosales)
68' – Kayla Maguire, GGC (Nova Eskelinen and Camila Madriz Figueroa)
80' – Natalie Maguire, GGC (Jade Perrin)
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC outshot Montreat by a 25-8 margin, including 15 shots being on goal
• Twenty-one different players appeared in the contest for the Grizzlies
• Sophomore goalkeeper Elle Sarter recorded five saves in posting the shutout in the season opener
• Saturday marked the second time that sisters senior Natalie Maguire and junior Kayla Maguire have scored in the same match

News & Notes

• Both teams opened their 2025 campaigns on Saturday
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 22 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• GGC now leads the series 5-1-1 against Montreat
• The team is 10-4 all-time in season openers

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 21 Truett-McConnell University (Georgia) in the 2025 home opener for White Out Night on Tuesday, August 26, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 7 p.m. The first 100 GGC students in attendance will receive a free t-shirt.