The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer scored twice in the final 30 minutes to complete a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Campbellsville University on Friday afternoon in Campbellsville, Kentucky. The team has won all three of its road matches this fall.
Junior
Gabriel Martins scored the match-winning goal in the 72nd minute to break a 1-1 deadlock. Sophomore
Michael Mallaburn delivered a throw in from the right side toward the 18-yard box in front of the Tigers' goal. The ball bounced between a pair of defenders before freshman
JJ Grimaldo headed the ball to Martins. He extended his left foot to flick the ball into the lower left corner of the goal.
The Grizzlies (4-1-1) tied the match in the 61st minute when junior
Djordje Djurasinovic scored an unassisted goal.
Both goals were the first for the GGC players during the 2026 season.
The visitors found themselves behind, at 1-0, after Mihlali Blesi drilled a shot from the right side of the box into the lower left corner of the goal in the 60th minute.
GGC nearly struck for the first goal of the match when Mallaburn got behind the defense on a counterattack. However, his shot in the 41st minute drifted left of the opposing goal.
The Grizzlies were efficient with their shots, placing five of their eight shots on goal. Djurasinovic and Mallaburn led the team's effort with each having two shot attempts. Three of Campbellsville's eight shots were on goal.
Senior goalkeeper
Dagoberto Romero made two saves in the second half to pick up his third victory of the season.
Coach's Corner
"We are still a work in progress. We found a way to win. It was a game that was played in the middle of the field. Our immediate response to their goal was impressive. Before they (Campbellsville) could really settle in after going up 1-0 we had put a ball into the back of the net. Both of our goals were created by out-working and out-hustling them," said Head Coach
Steve DeCou.
Turning Point
The Grizzlies capitalized on a scramble play in the 18-yard box in front of Campbellsville's goal to net the match winner on Friday. Sophomore
Michael Mallaburn delivered a throw in from the right side that freshman
JJ Grimaldo headed to junior
Gabriel Martins. He extended his left foot to put the ball into the back of the net in the 72nd minute.
Goals
60' – Mihlali Blesi, CU (Unassisted)
61' –
Djordje Djurasinovic, GGC (Unassisted)
72' –
Gabriel Martins, GGC (Unassisted)
Inside The Numbers
- Both teams attempted eight shots during Friday's match
- The Grizzlies had five shots on goal
- Juniors Djordje Djurasinovic and Gabriel Martins scored their first goals of the season
- Nineteen different GGC players appeared in the contest
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 4-1-1 on the season; Campbellsville drops to 1-3-3 this fall
- The Grizzlies were No. 2 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
- Georgia Gwinnett has won all three matches in the series against Campbellsville
- The team has won all three of its road matches this season
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) on Saturday, September 19, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 7 p.m.
