Women's Soccer Downs Georgia State 2-1 in Double-Overtime

Friday, September 2

Jacksonville University

4:30 pm

University of North Florida

1 (2OT)

Georgia State

Photo by: JD Hysler

9/2/2011 9:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

By: UNF Athletics

UNF-Georgia State Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida women's soccer team rallied from an early one-goal deficit to defeat Georgia State 2-1 Friday evening. Sophomore forward Thea Linkfield scored the game-winning goal in the final minute of the second overtime period.

Eleven different players recorded shots for UNF on the evening, but Georgia State seized the early advantage in the 21st minute. After receiving a pass from forward Whitney Ravan, sophomore Alison Gonzalez put the Panthers up 1-0 with a perfect shot to the left post.

For the remainder of the first half, the Ospreys peppered GSU goalkeeper Rebecca Ingram with chances, but could not find the back of the net. UNF entered the intermission with a 7-3 advantage in shots.

“They're a very strong, athletic team,” Head Coach Linda Hamilton said. “I think we came out on our heels a little bit because of that.”

The first few minutes of the second half had the Ospreys on their heels, as GSU tallied four shots in the first five minutes. But, in the 53rd minute, sophomore forward Lauren Hopfensperger collected a pass from midfielder Heather Botelho outside of the box before firing a shot just inside the left post to even the score at 1-1.

UNF had a chance to put the game away shortly before the end of regulation, but freshman midfielder Alexi Zaremba's header was saved by Ingram. UNF sophomore goalkeeper Megan Dorsey tallied five saves in the second half to take the game to overtime.

After GSU had the only shot of the first overtime and just one in the second extra period, Linkfield made her only shot count by collecting a deflection and burying a low shot into the left side of the net. It was the sophomore's first goal of the season.

“I think we made some mistakes early,” Hamilton said. “but I'm very proud of how our girls stayed in it and it's great to get a good result out of such a close game.”

Of the Ospreys' 11 losses in the 2010 season, the final 10 were all by a single goal.

Senior midfielder Vladana Petricevic led the UNF offense, tallying three shots on the day. Gonzalez, in addition to her goal, recorded four shots to lead the Panthers.

The Ospreys are next in action on Sunday as they take on the Furman Paladins at 11:30 a.m. Furman lost to host Jacksonville University 1-0 in this evening's late game.