Georgia Remains on the Road Sunday at Kennesaw State

Georgia (3-2-0, 0-0-0 SEC) at Kennesaw State (1-3-1, 0-0-0 ASUN)
Date: Sunday, Sept. 4
Time: 6 p.m. EDT
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
Site: Fifth Third Bank Stadium (8,318)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Stream: ESPN+ (Matteen Zibanejadrad, PxP / Jordan Griffitt, Analyst)
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
Twitter: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

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

QUICK KICKS
Dawgs Back on the Road
Georgia remains on the road for Sunday's contest at Kennesaw State. This is the fifth all-time meeting between the programs, with Georgia leading the series, 3-1. In the most recent meeting on Feb. 25, 2021, the Bulldogs prevailed, 2-1, in Athens. Georgia is looking to increase its 36-1-3 all-time record against in-state opponents. Its lone loss against a Georgia opponent came against the Owls (L, 2-1) on Sept. 9, 2018 in Kennesaw.

Dominance in Atlanta
Georgia moved back over .500 with its most complete performance of the season, a 3-0 win at Georgia State Thursday evening. The Bulldogs controlled possession from the opening moments on, eventually capitalizing with two goals in a 37-second span from Joyelle Washington and Madison Haugen. In the second half, Alyssa Stadeker extended the lead with her first career goal. Georgia's defense continued its strong play, allowing only one corner and two shots, the fewest for a Georgia opponent since Binghamton attempted one on Aug. 25, 2019.

Washington Breaks Out
Sophomore forward Joyelle Washington, a Wisconsin transfer, turned in an outstanding performance in her first career start. Washington tallied a career-high three points, scoring the Bulldogs' first goal in the 16th minute off a cross from Dani Murguia. Later in the match, she posted her first career assist, setting up Alyssa Stadeker for a goal. Washington was one of two Bulldogs with three-point performances Thursday, joining teammate Madison Haugen.

Connections for Coach Walton
Kennesaw State head coach Benji Walton carries a pair of strong connections to the Georgia soccer program. Walton's coaching career began in 2001 as a volunteer assistant for two seasons under former UGA head coach Sue Patberg, helping the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Second Round in his first season. Additionally, Walton (2007-12) and current UGA head coach Keidane McAlpine (2001-05) both served as head coach at Birmingham-Southern.

Beardsley and Backline Coming Up Big
Despite only having 45 minutes of previous experience under her belt, sophomore goalkeeper Liz Beardsley has impressed in her first five career starts. After posting a shutout against Georgia Southern, Beardsley posted a solid performance against No. 1 Florida State, tallying six saves, including an outstanding leaping punch-save in the second half. She then only allowed one goal against Wake Forest before notching shutouts against College of Charleston and Georgia State. The Georgia backline has solidified with the same four players starting in every match so far. The Bulldog defenders have only allowed an average of 6.6 shots per game and 12 total corner kicks.

Murguia Nears History
With her 28th-minute goal against FSU, graduate forward Dani Murguia notched her second score of the season and 15th of her career. Murguia also reached 50 points in her career, moving closer to the top 10 in program history. With an assist Thursday against Georgia State, Murguia now sits only three behind Weathersbee for the program career record (24) and will look to set a new top mark during the season.

Loaded with Experience
Thanks to the NCAA's COVID-era eligibility changes, Georgia is equipped this season with four graduate players. Abby Boyan, Cecily Stoute, and Dani Murguia all return for their fifth seasons in Athens, with the trio each earning their bachelor's degree this year. They are joined by Washington transfer Ruby Hellstrom, who scored eight goals in 37 career starts for the Huskies.

New Friends on the Pitch
Even with 17 returning letterwinners, this year's squad features a large influx of talent with 12 newcomers: five transfers and seven freshmen. On the transfer part, Hellstrom is joined by fellow Pac-12 student-athlete Dasia Torbert, who returned home to Georgia following two seasons at UCLA. Torbert has previously played for the U.S. U18 Women's National Team and was the No. 12 recruit in the class of 2020. The Bulldogs also welcome sophomores Alyssa Stadeker (Florida State) and Joyelle Washington (Wisconsin), along with redshirt junior Nicole Vernis (Florida), who will sit out the season due to SEC transfer regulations.

A Bulldog Legacy
Junior midfielder Dasia Torbert enters her first season at Georgia as the first legacy player in program history. Her mother, Ali Comis Bose, was a member of the inaugural four-year class that played from 1995-98, reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in her senior season. Torbert's father, Regan, also lettered for the football team in 2000.

Up Next
Georgia returns home to face North Florida on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

Georgia Remains on the Road Sunday at Kennesaw State

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Players Mentioned

Liz Beardsley

Abby Boyan

Madison Haugen

Ruby Hellstrom

Dani Murguia

Alyssa Stadeker

Cecily Stoute

Dasia Torbert

Nicole Vernis

Joyelle Washington