COLUMBUS, Ga.– Georgia Southwestern State University women's soccer continued to rewrite its history against Peach Belt Conference powers Saturday afternoon, earning its first-ever result against Columbus State University with a 1-1 draw in the conference opener at the Walden Soccer Complex.
Redshirt senior
Maci Dunlap gave GSW the lead in the 16th minute off a corner kick for the Lady Hurricanes' first goal ever at CSU, and goalkeeper
Hannah Garrett turned away a career-high 11 shots as GSW (1-1-3, 0-0-1 PBC) secured a point against the Cougars for the first time in 21 all-time meetings.
The Lady Hurricanes entered Saturday having lost each of their previous 20 matches against Columbus State.
GSW showed little regard for that history early.
Taelyn Townsend put a shot on goal just over three minutes into the match, and
Zoie St. John forced another save from CSU goalkeeper Ashlyn Valentine in the 15th minute. The Lady Hurricanes earned their first corner kick moments later and capitalized on the opportunity.
Anna Wheatley delivered the service and Dunlap found the back of the net with a header at the 15:23 mark to give GSW a 1-0 advantage.
The goal was Dunlap's second of the season, moving her into a tie for the team lead, while Wheatley picked up her second assist of the fall.
It also marked GSW's first-ever goal against Columbus State at the Walden Soccer Complex after more than 1,005 minutes of scoreless play at the venue.
The Cougars (3-2-1, 0-0-1 PBC) responded with sustained pressure, but Garrett repeatedly denied the hosts. The senior goalkeeper made six saves over the remainder of the opening half, including stops on Mia Robinson and Delaney Weatherly in the closing 11 minutes, to send GSW into halftime with the 1-0 lead.
Columbus State continued to press after the break. The Cougars took the first six shots of the second half, forcing Garrett into three more saves, but the Lady Hurricanes held onto their one-goal advantage.
GSW nearly added some breathing room in the 61st minute when
Jordin Gundin put an attempt on frame, but Valentine made the save.
Garrett continued to stand tall as the pressure mounted, turning away Robinson in the 65th minute and Kelsey Croft in the 84th.
Columbus State finally broke through with 3:41 remaining. Robinson connected with Ui Suzuki, who scored at the 86:19 mark to pull the Cougars even at 1-1.
Rather than settle for the draw, the Lady Hurricanes immediately went looking for a winner. GSW earned three corner kicks in a span of 58 seconds following the equalizer before St. John put an attempt on goal with 1:18 remaining. Valentine made the save to preserve the tie.
Columbus State finished with a 24-6 advantage in shots and put 12 attempts on goal, but Garrett's 11 saves kept the Lady Hurricanes in front for more than 70 minutes. GSW placed five of its six shots on frame and held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Saturday's draw marked the second consecutive match in which GSW earned its first result in a long-running series. The Lady Hurricanes battled Valdosta State to a 2-2 draw Wednesday for their first result in five meetings with the Blazers before ending a 20-match losing streak against Columbus State three days later.
Next Up
- GSW makes its first-ever trip to Edward Waters University on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. nonconference match.
