Sophomore Christy Noble scored her first collegiate goal to give the No. 19-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against No. 14 Cumberland University (Tennessee) on Saturday evening on Youth Soccer Day at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The Grizzlies (4-3-2) scored a pair of goals in the second half to defeat their second nationally ranked opponent of the season.

"They (Cumberland) are a really good offensive team and just beat Cumberlands (ranked No. 2). So, this was a big win for us," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano, whose team defeated defending NAIA national champion SCAD Savannah (Georgia) 3-1 earlier this season.

Senior Natalie Maguire began the rally when she flicked a right crossing pass from freshman Barbora Kadlecova into the opposing net during the 59th minute. Her third tally of the season evened the match at 1-1 after the visiting Phoenix (8-2-0) got on the board on a long distance shot from Kadisha Martina in the 20th minute.

The hosts transitioned defense into offense for the eventual game-winning tally. Senior Nicole Mares Rivera floated a pass to the right side for junior Gabriela Rosas, who added a crossing pass into the six-yard box. That's where Noble headed the ball into the back of the net to give GGC the 2-1 advantage in the 78th minute.

Seven of the Grizzlies' 10 shots were on goal and they held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks in the match.

Cumberland registered five shots in the opening 24 minutes of action, but GGC junior goalkeeper Rirei Sasaki was always there to post three saves during the first half.

The visitors managed only five more shots during the remaining 66 minutes, with two being on goal.

Noble and Rosas attempted two shots in the victory as eight different Grizzlies registered a shot on Saturday.

GGC has defeated Cumberland for the second consecutive season.


 
Coach's Corner
"I have a team that keeps coming back in matches. We did it last game (eventually tying Thomas 1-1) and against Xavier (tying 3-3). Belief just came along with us in the second half because of how strong we ended the first half," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies' depth wore down the Phoenix on a warm and humid evening, eventually scoring two second-half goals to pick up the home triumph. Twenty-five players saw action in the match, compared to just 17 players for the Phoenix. Senior Natalie Maguire and sophomore Christy Noble found the back of the net off right crossing passes in the final 30 minutes to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit.
 
Goals
20' – Kadisha Martina, CU (Seika Stull and Olga Wallemo)
59' – Natalie Maguire, GGC (Barbora Kadlecova)
78' – Christy Noble, GGC (Gabriela Rosas and Nicole Mares Rivera)
 
Inside The Numbers

• Both teams attempted 10 shots during Saturday's match
• Eight different Grizzlies registered a shot attempt in the victory
• Sophomore Christy Noble scored her first career collegiate goal and it proved to be the eventual match-winner
• The Grizzlies recorded seven corner kicks across the 90 minutes of action

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 4-3-2 this fall; Cumberland drops to 8-2-0 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 19 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Cumberland stood No. 14 in the same poll
• GGC has won back-to-back meetings with the Phoenix to take a 4-2-0 lead in the series, including a 2-1-0 edge in matches played in Lawrenceville
• The team played the first of three matches in a five-day span

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Point University (Georgia) on Monday, September 29, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 6 p.m.