COCHRAN, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern State University controlled much of the offensive action Friday evening but couldn't find the back of the net as the Hurricanes battled Middle Georgia State University to a 0-0 draw in Peach Belt Conference play at Nesmith Field.
Playing through wet and windy conditions, GSW (2-6-4, 0-4-4 PBC) outshot the Knights (4-7-3, 2-4-2 PBC) by a 16-6 margin and put seven attempts on goal, but Middle Georgia goalkeeper Philip Haenel turned away every shot on frame as the schools played to their second draw of the season.
The Hurricanes established an offensive rhythm early, generating four shots in the opening 14 minutes before
Bryan Garcia forced Haenel into his first save of the night at the 15-minute mark.
Theo Hoang and
Mac Vargas followed with shots on goal in the 22nd and 26th minutes, respectively, but Haenel kept the match scoreless.
GSW came closest to breaking through in the 37th minute when
Will Eydam's attempt struck the crossbar. The Hurricanes earned a corner kick moments later but were unable to capitalize.
Middle Georgia generated a pair of first-half opportunities of its own, but GSW goalkeeper
Nathan Grady stopped attempts from Scott Osbourne in the 20th minute and Aiden Giacomelli in the 41st.
The Hurricanes carried an 11-3 advantage in shots into halftime, including three attempts on goal.
Middle Georgia came out of the break with renewed pressure, earning three corner kicks in the opening five minutes of the second half. Grady preserved the shutout with a save on Zachary Whipple's attempt toward the bottom-left corner in the 54th minute.
GSW responded with another opportunity less than three minutes later when Hoang forced Haenel into his fourth save of the match.
Dante Johnson tested the MGA goalkeeper in the 68th minute before the Hurricanes mounted another push with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Hoang put a shot on frame at 80:38, and Garcia followed just eight seconds later with another attempt toward the bottom center of the goal. Haenel stopped both to keep the match scoreless.
Johnson had one final opportunity for GSW in the 89th minute, but his attempt sailed high and left as the teams finished level.
The Hurricanes finished with a 16-6 advantage in shots, including an 11-3 edge in the opening half. Hoang led all players with six attempts, putting three on goal, while Johnson added three shots and Garcia placed both of his attempts on frame.
Grady played all 90 minutes and made three saves to record the first clean sheet of his collegiate career. Haenel finished with seven saves for Middle Georgia, which held a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Friday's result marked the second draw between the programs this season after the teams played to a 1-1 tie Sept. 16 in Americus. GSW has now held Middle Georgia to one goal or fewer in each of the last seven meetings.
Next Up
The Hurricanes will travel to Tuskegee University on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. CDT nonconference match before returning for a GSW Homecoming contest on Saturday against North Georgia.
