Box Score (PDF)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Georgia State (1-1) emerged with a 2-1 victory over the North Florida men's soccer team (1-1) on a soggy night at Hodges Stadium. The start time of the final game of the Fourth Annual Mike Gibbs Memorial Tournament was delayed two hours to accommodate inclement weather in the area.
With just 2:23 remaining in regulation, the Panthers scored the game-winning goal off the foot of Andy Anglade. The senior forward received a long through ball from Nomis Cisic was able to chip the ball over a charging
Kyle Nasta for his first goal of the season. The Ospreys got one more shot off with 1:11 remaining but it was turned away by Georgia State goalkeeper Greyson Walldroff.
"Tonight we were inefficient with our scoring opportunities and we are disappointed with the outcome," said Head Coach
Derek Marinatos. "Have to give credit to them (Georgia State), they were able score and deny us of our third-straight tournament crown on our home field."
After a scoreless first half, the Panthers kicked off the three-score, second half with a goal by Jad Elkhalil in the 54
th minute. The Ospreys put in the equalizer a little over nine minutes later when
Drew Spragg made a great move to control the ball outside the 18 yard box and fired a shot that split the legs of Waldroff and knotted the game at one.
The win by Georgia State secured second place in the Mike Gibbs Memorial Tournament while the Ospreys finish third. The Jacksonville/Appalachian State game was cancelled due to rain. Based on the head-to-head and goal-differential tiebreakers, Jacksonville was crowned the tournament's champion for the first time.
After a slow start in the first half, the pace noticeably picked up in the second. The Ospreys held a 14-13 advantage in shots for the game and had seven corner kicks compared to just four by the Panthers. Nine of the Ospreys 14 shots came in the final 45 minutes of play.
Walldorff turned away four Ospreys shots on goal for his first win of the season. Nasta made three saves including a stop to squander a one-on-one opportunity in the 18
th minute.
The Ospreys will hit the road next weekend for the Courtyard Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach Classic hosted by UNC Wilmington. North Florida will take on the hosts on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and wrap up the weekend with a matchup against Elon at noon on Sunday.
For the latest news and updates on the UNF Men's Soccer Team, follow @OspreyMSOC on Twitter. Tournament Results1. Jacksonville (1-0)2. Georgia St. (1-1)3. North Florida (1-1)4. Appalachian St. (0-1)*Following tiebreakers applied: JU over GSU by virtue of head-to-head winGSU over UNF by virtue of head-to-head win All-Tournament Team: TBA Monday morning.
