Georgia Runs Away from Georgia State, 6-1

Thursday, August 26

Athens, Ga.

7 p.m.

University of Georgia

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Georgia State

1-2-0, 0-0-0

Georgia St.

Georgia

August 26, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – In a performance reminiscent of last week's season opener, the University of Georgia soccer team bested in-state rival Georgia State, 6-1, Thursday evening before 312 fans at the Turner Soccer Complex.

Five Bulldogs scored in the contest, including a pair of goals from graduate forward Mollie Belisle, increasing her team lead to four. Senior midfielder Dani Murguia and freshman forward Danielle Lewin each increased their season total to three, while senior midfielders Abby Boyan and Bella Ponzi added in scores of their own.

As a team, Georgia (2-1-0) outshot Georgia State (1-2-0), 25-4, including a 10-2 advantage in shots on goal. Lewin again led the Bulldogs in shots with five, while Murguia and Belisle tallied four-point games for the second time this season.

On the defensive end, the Georgia backline only allowed four corner kicks. In net, senior Emory Wegener made her 50^th career start before being relieved by freshman Liz Beardsley in the second half. In her collegiate debut, Beardsley notched the Bulldogs' lone save of the evening.

"We wanted to come out and respond to not really playing well on Sunday and get off to a great start," said Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne following the match. "The energy we had early on was at a high level. We finished some early chances to put our team at ease. I'm proud of their preparation that went into this week, and then, the ability to step out and respond."

The scoring started quickly for the Bulldogs as Murguia took the assist from Boyan and dropped it in the top right corner nearly two minutes into the match. Shortly after, a long downfield pass from sophomore forward Madison Haugen led to a tremendous cross from Murguia that Belisle put in the net to make it a 2-0 score.

In the 13^th minute, the Panthers drew a foul on graduate defender Kayla Bruster in the box, earning a valuable chance to cut their deficit in half, but Ana Diaz's kick sailed over the net. Just one minute later, a Georgia State handball in the box set up a penalty kick for Boyan, who calmly slotted into the net. Later in the half, Lewin, who entered off the bench, made it a four-goal lead as she netted a crisp backfoot pass from freshman midfielder Ellie Gilbert.

The second half started quietly for both teams, until a Boyan foul gave Georgia State a promising free kick. Jimena Cabrero's shot was on frame, but a diving deflection from Beardsley preserved the shutout for the time being.

In the 68^th minute, Ponzi earned her first goal of the season as he headed in a Murguia corner. Following Georgia State's first goal, Belisle responded for the Bulldogs as she scored off an assist from freshman midfielder Morgan Hart, sealing up another dominant outing for the Georgia attack.

Georgia remains home this weekend for a matchup against Belmont on Sunday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. Admission is free for fans and the match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.