ATHENS, Ga. – A goal in each half fueled the University of Georgia soccer team past South Florida, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at the Turner Soccer Complex in front of a Senior Day crowd of 1,136 spectators.
Prior to the match, graduates Abby Boyan, Ruby Hellstrom, Dani Murguia, and Cecily Stoute and senior Mallie McKenzie were recognized for their contributions to the program.
Georgia (6-2-0) jumped ahead midway through the first half with a goal from McKenzie. Murguia then tacked on the second goal in the second half for a two-goal shutout.
The Bulldogs’ defense held USF (3-4-0) to only five shots on the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Liz Beardsley recorded her six shutout of the season, tallying two saves in the second half.
“I thought our competitive level and spirit was fantastic,” Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine aid following the match. “Coming off Thursday where I thought North Florida outcompeted us, it was important for us to come out and set a tone. They probably made me work a little too hard on the sideline today, but at the end of the day I wanted to make sure we brought that intensity – and I thought we brought it. I thought that was the biggest difference in the game for us.”
The Bulldogs opened the match with an offensive strike in the 21st minute as sophomore midfielder Ellie Gilbert sent the ball between defenders to junior midfielder Dasia Torbert. Torbert connected with McKenzie in the box who deposited the assist to put Georgia ahead, 1-0.
“It was amazing,” McKenzie said. “I had a big group of family and friends out here, and to be able to score in front of them was really awesome.”
Georgia moved to extend their lead in the second half, outshooting the Bulls by a 14-2 margin, concluding the match with seven shots on goal to South Florida’s two. In the 72nd minute, Torbert inked her second assist of the afternoon. A sliding pass from Murguia found Boyan at the top of the box. Boyan connected with Torbert, who sent an assist to Murguia for a second goal to boost the Bulldogs ahead 2-0. South Florida sent two shots on goal to Beardsley in the second half but were unable to score.
Georgia will take a trip west to Bryan-College Station, Texas to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. in the team’s SEC opener. The Bulldogs will then return to the Turner Soccer Complex the following Thursday, Sept. 22, for a matchup against South Carolina at 7 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on SEC Network+.
For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Prior to the match, graduates Abby Boyan, Ruby Hellstrom, Dani Murguia, and Cecily Stoute and senior Mallie McKenzie were recognized for their contributions to the program.
Georgia (6-2-0) jumped ahead midway through the first half with a goal from McKenzie. Murguia then tacked on the second goal in the second half for a two-goal shutout.
The Bulldogs’ defense held USF (3-4-0) to only five shots on the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Liz Beardsley recorded her six shutout of the season, tallying two saves in the second half.
“I thought our competitive level and spirit was fantastic,” Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine aid following the match. “Coming off Thursday where I thought North Florida outcompeted us, it was important for us to come out and set a tone. They probably made me work a little too hard on the sideline today, but at the end of the day I wanted to make sure we brought that intensity – and I thought we brought it. I thought that was the biggest difference in the game for us.”
The Bulldogs opened the match with an offensive strike in the 21st minute as sophomore midfielder Ellie Gilbert sent the ball between defenders to junior midfielder Dasia Torbert. Torbert connected with McKenzie in the box who deposited the assist to put Georgia ahead, 1-0.
“It was amazing,” McKenzie said. “I had a big group of family and friends out here, and to be able to score in front of them was really awesome.”
Georgia moved to extend their lead in the second half, outshooting the Bulls by a 14-2 margin, concluding the match with seven shots on goal to South Florida’s two. In the 72nd minute, Torbert inked her second assist of the afternoon. A sliding pass from Murguia found Boyan at the top of the box. Boyan connected with Torbert, who sent an assist to Murguia for a second goal to boost the Bulldogs ahead 2-0. South Florida sent two shots on goal to Beardsley in the second half but were unable to score.
Georgia will take a trip west to Bryan-College Station, Texas to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. in the team’s SEC opener. The Bulldogs will then return to the Turner Soccer Complex the following Thursday, Sept. 22, for a matchup against South Carolina at 7 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on SEC Network+.
For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.