A strong second-half performance lifted the No. 6-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team to a 4-0 road triumph against the University of Pikeville on Friday afternoon in Pikeville, Kentucky.
All four of the Grizzlies' goals were scored by reserve players over the final 25 minutes of the contest.
Junior
Gabriel Martins opened the scoring in the 65th minute by capitalizing on the weak side following a right crossing pass that was played toward the six-yard box in front of the opposing goal. He dribbled around a defender and drilled a shot into the left side of the open goal.
Two minutes later, freshman
JJ Grimaldo tallied his fourth goal of the season after converting a one-on-one situation with the Pikeville goalkeeper.
Then, senior
Francisco Osorio scored a pair of goals within a two-minute span of the closing moments of the match. An unassisted goal came in the 85th minute after Osorio won a tackle inside the box. Later, Martins delivered a left crossing pass that Osorio headed into the back of the net from the right goal post. The goals were Osorio's second and third of the season.
The Grizzlies (5-2-1) registered nine of their 11 shots during the strong second half performance. The team held a slight 11-9 shot edge in the match, with nine different players attempting a shot. Sophomore
Jean Malilo joined Osorio in attempting multiple shots.
Senior goalkeeper
Dagoberto Romero made five saves in posting the team's first shutout of the 2026 campaign.
Friday's triumph also keeps GGC undefeated through four road matches this season. The team has outscored the opposition by a 16-3 margin during those contests.
Coach's Corner
"Today was a mature performance as we persisted with the game plan and were rewarded in the second half with four goals. When we followed the plan, we were very good. When the standard slipped Pikeville was able to test us. I'll take a win on the road. Now, our attention turns to Tuesday (vs. No. 3 Cumberland)," said Head Coach
Steve DeCou.
Turning Point
For the second consecutive road match, junior
Gabriel Martins provided the match-winning goal in the second half. He drilled a shot from the six-yard box in front of the Pikeville goal after dribbling around a defender in the 65th minute. GGC has outscored Pikeville by a 10-0 margin in the second halves of matches during the past two seasons.
Goals
65' –
Gabriel Martins, GGC (Unassisted)
67' –
JJ Grimaldo, GGC (Unassisted)
85' –
Francisco Osorio, GGC (Unassisted)
87' –
Francisco Osorio, GGC (
Gabriel Martins)
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies outshot Pikeville by an 11-9 margin, with nine shots coming in the second half
- Senior Francisco Osorio scored his second and third goals of the 2026 season
- GGC attempted eight corner kicks across Friday's 90 minutes of action
- All four goals were scored by reserve players
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 5-2-1 this fall; Pikeville drops to 3-3-2 in 2026
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
- Friday's match is the second meeting in series history, both won by GGC
- The team is undefeated in four road matches this season
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 3 Cumberland University (Tennessee) on Tuesday, September 29, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 3 p.m.
