University of Georgia Athletics
Lightning Ends Soccer Game In 1-1 Tie
August 30, 2009 | Soccer
It was a slow first half on the afternoon for both squads, with neither team managing a shot on goal until the clock read 30:11 in the first half. UGA did have a pair of scoring chances early but both shots were fired wide of the goal, and the Mercer defense thwarted the Bulldogs’ later chances when the ball was in the offensive end.
On Mercer’s best first-half scoring chance, UGA keeper Michelle Betos tipped a point blank shot over the top of the goal to preserve the 0-0 contest with 9:45 remaining before halftime. The score remained 0-0 at the break, similar to Friday night’s results vs. Minnesota here.
After halftime, Mercer got on the board first when UGA (2-0-1) failed to clear a loose ball right in front of the goal and the Bears’ Olivia Tucker tapped it from close range past a diving Betos to give Mercer the 1-0 lead just under six minutes into the second half.
It was the first goal allowed by the Bulldogs this season and the first in Georgia’s last five games against Mercer.
The Bulldogs netted the equalizer with 14:16 left on the clock in the second, when Kelli Corless stepped in for a free kick from outside the box on the top left. Corless sent it high across the goal mouth, where Jamie Pollock waited and got her head on the cross, sending it past the Mercer goalkeeper for Georgia’s first of the day, tying it at one apiece.
That was where it stood when lightning was spotted in the area with just 8:58 remaining in the contest. The teams cleared the field and waited the necessary 30 minutes for weather to improve. But two subsequent strikes passed through the area and play was called when it became impossible to resume play within the NCAA-regulated three hour delay period at 4:10 p.m.
“We tried to start the second half very similar to how we started it in the Minnesota game – we wanted to jump out and get the first goal,” said head coach Patrick Baker. “Unfortunately we didn’t do that, and Mercer capitalized on a set piece and managed to get the first goal of game. Now, we’re chasing the scoreboard, but I thought we showed composure, changed our system and manufactured a set piece ourselves with a timely equalizer.”
“We would have obviously loved to go on and finish the game, but the weather just didn’t let that happen today.”
The Bulldogs have never lost to an Atlantic Sun conference foe in their history, and are now 7-0-1 all-time against the in-state rival. Mercer now sits at 1-1-1 on the year.
On the afternoon, UGA edged the Bears in the shot column, 8-7, while Betos made two more saves in the net for the home team and Mercer managed three corner kicks to Georgia’s one.
“It feels like a loss,” Pollock said afterward. “It was definitely a learning experience. We should have finished a lot of chances that we didn’t.”
The Bulldogs continue their six-game season-opening homestand next weekend when the team hosts the Nike Georgia Invitational, hosting a Friday night match-up vs. Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m. at home and a Sunday 2:30 p.m. game vs. Northeastern. Clemson will also participate in the tournament at the UGA Soccer Stadium.
