University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Soccer Tops Mississippi State, 3-1
September 25, 2005 | Soccer
Sept. 25, 2005
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ATHENS, Ga. --- The University of Georgia women's soccer team (7-2-1, 1-1-0) defeated Mississippi State (1-5-3, 0-2-0) on Sunday afternoon at the UGA soccer complex by a score of 3-1. Junior defender Missy Vierling scored her third game-winning goal of the year for Georgia while senior forward Ali Williams extended her team-leading scoring total to seven as she scored UGA's first and third goals.
"The biggest thing for us today was finding a way to win," said Georgia head coach Patrick Baker. "We had not done that against USC, LMU or Ole Miss. Today we capitalized on our chances. We are very happy to get back to .500 in the conference."
Vierling's goal, which was the eventual game-winner, came at the 34:04 mark in the first half. Junior midfielder Randi-Lynn Bruso took the ball down the right side and split two defenders as she dribbled toward the penalty box. She played the ball across to the far side, just inside the box where Vierling collected it and took a hard shot into the lefthand side of the goal for Georgia's second tally of the game. All three of Vierling's goals on the year have been game-winners for UGA. All three were also scored from within three yards, inside or outside, of the penalty box.
"Any time there is a loose ball at the top of the box I feel that it is within my range," said Vierling. "My opportunities come from long range because I'm a defender, so it is more within my area. I'm not going to get in and cram the six-yard box. I do what I can to either help get balls into the box or finish them when they pop out."
Williams got Georgia on the scoreboard first, as she scored just 8:16 into the game. Vierling played a corner kick into the box where an MSU defender tried to clear the ball, but it ended up at Williams' feet. Williams pulled the trigger and sent the ball into the near-post on the right hand side of the goal for the score. Miss. St. goalkeeper Emily Myers got a hand on it, but was not able to stop it from hitting the back of the net. Williams' second goal put the Dogs up 3-1 in the 56th minute of play as she one-timed a ball out of the air from about five yards out. Junior midfielder Kelly Whitaker had beaten her defenders and played a cross into the box, where Williams struck it.
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