Georgia Shuts Out Wofford, 5-0, on Senior Night

Sunday, September 5

Athens, Ga.

6 p.m.

University of Georgia

5-1-0, 0-0-0

Wofford

2-4-0, 0-0-0

Wofford

Georgia

September 05, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – With a four-goal blast to open the second half, the University of Georgia soccer team continued its blistering start with a 5-0 victory over Wofford before 1,010 spectators Sunday evening on Senior Night at the Turner Soccer Complex.

Sunday's win gives Georgia (5-1-0) its best start since the 2013 season, which also began with a 5-1 mark. The Bulldogs have now won four in a row as they near the conclusion of non-conference play. Additionally, each of Georgia's five wins have been by at least two-goal margins.

Georgia dominated on offense, outshooting Wofford (2-4) by a 41-6 margin, the most shots for the program since 42 against Mississippi State in 2011. The Bulldogs also led in shots on goal, 20-2, and earned nine corner kicks as opposed to two for the Terriers.

Graduate forward Mollie Belisle tied her career high with a team-high eight shots, while sophomore forward Tori Penn also set a new high mark with six. Senior midfielder Abby Boyan turned in Georgia's second five-point outing of the season, setting a new career high.

On the defensive front, goalkeeper Emory Wegener earned her 15^th career shutout, moving into fifth place in program history. In a full 90 minutes of play, the senior keeper tallied two saves in her second clean sheet of the season.

"The girls were, to a player, appreciative of what the seniors have done and the example they have set," said Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne following the Senior Night win. "We wanted to have them enjoy this moment and earn another victory on our home field in front of their family and friends. It meant a lot to every player to have those seniors go out with a win. Mission accomplished – especially when things settled down in the second half for us."

In the early going, Georgia earned a pair of promising corner kick opportunities, but were unable to convert. The drought was finally broken in the 27^th minute as Boyan intercepted a Wofford free kick and scored from 20 yards out to put Georgia on the board. Later in the half, the Bulldogs almost added another goal as Wofford's keeper misplayed a passback from her backline, but she was able to clear the ball before Georgia could play it.

As the second half unfolded, the Georgia attack finally began to convert on its numerous opportunities, posting four goals in a 10-minute span. Boyan earned her second goal of the evening as she netted a feed from senior defender Cecily Stoute in the 47^th minute.

Just under a minute later, Belisle took an assist from Boyan and dropped it in the bottom left corner of the goal for her eighth score of the season, moving her into sole possession of the national lead. In the 52^nd minute, she added to her margin with a header off a cross from sophomore forward Madison Haugen, bringing her to nine scores through just six matches. Belisle has now notched two-goal games in four of Georgia's five wins.

In the 54^th minute, senior forward Dani Murguia scored her fifth goal of the season with a header of her own off an assist from Mallie McKenzie. Penn almost tacked on a sixth goal in the 81^st minute, but her long drive hit off the crossbar and went over the goal.

Georgia now turns its attention toward a matchup with Presbyterian on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. Admission is free and the match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.