TUSKEGEE, Ala. – Three Georgia Southwestern State University players scored their first goals of the season Tuesday evening, including a pair of seniors who found the back of the net in their final collegiate match, as the Lady Hurricanes closed out the 2026 women's soccer campaign with a 3-1 nonconference victory over Tuskegee University.
Senior defender
Anna Wheatley scored the first goal of her GSW career,
Cassidy Brunner delivered the game-winner in the second half and senior
Lily Hosmer capped her collegiate career with a goal in the closing minutes as the Lady Hurricanes earned the victory in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
GSW controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting Tuskegee (4-4-2) by a 12-3 margin while placing seven attempts on goal.
The Lady Hurricanes wasted little time creating opportunities. Wheatley sent a shot over the crossbar in the opening minute before Brunner put an attempt wide in the 12th.
Wheatley broke through at 18:16, scoring off an assist from
Jordin Gundin to give GSW a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked the first of Wheatley's career with the Lady Hurricanes and gave the senior a memorable finish to her collegiate playing days.
Tuskegee threatened to answer just over a minute later, but GSW goalkeeper
Hannah Garrett turned away a shot from Genesis Austin to preserve the lead.
The Lady Hurricanes continued to generate chances as
Ines Balaghni sent an attempt wide in the 20th minute before
Ellie Carrington forced Austin into a save in the 30th.
GSW carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting the Golden Tigers 5-2 over the opening 45 minutes.
Tuskegee pulled even less than four minutes into the second half when Kamilah Smith scored off an assist from Sojourner Ramsey at 48:53, leveling the match at 1-1.
The Lady Hurricanes responded with renewed offensive pressure. Wheatley put another shot on frame in the 54th minute before Balaghni sent an attempt high moments later.
GSW regained the lead at 55:27 when Brunner scored her first goal of the season off an assist from freshman
Kyndall Ruggiero, putting the Lady Hurricanes back in front, 2-1.
The assist was the first of Ruggiero's collegiate career.
Brunner nearly added another goal just over a minute later, but Austin made the save to keep Tuskegee within striking distance.
The Lady Hurricanes maintained their one-goal advantage throughout the remainder of the second half before Hosmer provided the finishing touch in the 89th minute.
With just 1:16 remaining in her collegiate career, Hosmer found the back of the net at 88:44 to extend GSW's lead to 3-1. The goal was the senior's first of the season and gave the Lady Hurricanes some breathing room in the closing moments.
GSW nearly added a fourth goal in the final seconds when Carrington put a shot toward the bottom-left corner, but Austin made the save.
The Lady Hurricanes finished with a 12-3 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 margin in shots on goal. Wheatley and Brunner led GSW with three shots apiece, while Carrington and Balaghni added two each.
Garrett started in goal and made one save during a scoreless first half before
Clara Williams took over for the final 45 minutes.
Austin recorded four saves for Tuskegee.
The victory marked the first time this season GSW scored three goals in a match and gave the Lady Hurricanes their second win of the fall.
GSW concludes its 2026 campaign with a 2-6-7 overall record, including a program-record seven draws.
