No. 14 Georgia Spooked by Ole Miss in Final Minute

Saturday, October 31

Oxford, Miss

7:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

2-3-2, 2-3-2

Ole MIss

3-4-0, 3-4-0

Georgia

Ole Miss

October 31, 2020 | Soccer

Box Score

OXFORD, Miss. --- The University of Georgia soccer team produced its highest scoring output of the season, but was spooked by the Ole Miss Rebels in the final minute of the match to fall 4-3 in a Halloween thriller at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium Saturday night.

"I thought we did a lot of really great things, offensively," Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne said. "We led in both halves at different times. But defensively, one of the things we really have done well this year we weren't as consistent tonight and it really came back to hurt us, especially in set piece situations. Three of their goals came from set pieces and from fouls that put them in positions to be dangerous and they took advantage of it. I'm disappointed and the team is heartbroken because we worked extremely hard on the night. Having leads in both halves and not being able to hold onto them was disappointing."

Georgia (2-3-2) took an early lead off a set piece in the 11^th minute. Senior Jessie Denney served the ball to senior Ashley Andersen who headed it in for the goal.

Eight minutes later, it was senior Delaney Erwin that gave the Bulldogs a cushion after heading the ball to the back of the net off a pass from sophomore Mallie McKenzie.

The Rebels (3-4) were able to answer with two goals of their own before the end of the half. Ole Miss first tightened the gap in the 28^th minute and then notched the equalizer at the 35-minute mark.

Georgia regained the lead in the 51^st minute when Mollie Belisle hit the top left corner of the net off an assist from McKenzie.

Despite continuing to apply pressure and take promising shots, the Bulldogs failed to capitalize on further opportunities.

With six minutes remaining in the game, Ole Miss was able to tie it back up. Then, in the final 60 seconds, the Rebels were awarded a free kick off a foul and won the game.

The Bulldogs took 13 shots, compared to the Rebels' 11, and received forced three corner kicks, but were called offsides six times in the loss.

"We have to go back to work," Lesesne continued. "We have one more game before the conference tournament and want to put our best foot forward. It was a hard fought game and it's hard to come out on the losing end of a game like this."

Georgia returns home for its final regular season match against the Tigers of Missouri on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will then head to Orange Beach, Alabama for the SEC Tournament, which is being held November 13-22.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA SOCCER: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.