Georgia Advances to SEC Championship with Last-Minute Win over Texas A&M

Thursday, November 2

Pensacola, Fla.

8:30 p.m.

University of Georgia

10-4-5, 4-3-3

Texas A&M

9-7-4, 4-3-3

Texas A&M

Georgia

Georgia Advances to SEC Championship with Last-Minute Win over Texas A&M

November 03, 2023 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Graduate midfielder Croix Bethune's winning goal with 27 seconds remaining capped off an unbelievable overtime period and sent the University of Georgia soccer team to the SEC Championship with a 3-2 win over Texas A&M Thursday evening before 1,485 spectators at Ashton Brosnaham Park.

Off a free kick from redshirt senior midfielder Nicole Vernis and deflection by senior forward Tori Penn, Bethune knocked in the winning goal, her second of the tournament and second last-minute winner for Georgia (10-4-5) this season. Penn and freshman midfielder Christian Brathwaite led the Bulldogs with three shots apiece, with the team tallying 16 overall as Texas A&M (9-7-4) racked up 27 of their own.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Brown smashed her previous career high with 11 saves on the evening.

With the victory, Georgia advanced to its fourth SEC Championship appearance and first since the 2008 season. The Bulldogs will face top-seeded Arkansas on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. EST on SEC Network. Earlier this season, the Razorbacks prevailed, 2-1, on Oct. 5 in Fayetteville.

Texas A&M came out aggressive in the early moments, earning a pair of corner kicks within the first eight minutes. Following the initial spurt, Georgia controlled possession for most of the period, with Penn getting a great look in the 27^th minute that Aggie keeper Kenna Caldwell saved. Despite controlling the run of play, a defensive lapse in the 41^st minute allowed for a breakaway goal by A&M's Taylor Jernigan, giving the Aggies a 1-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, Georgia looked to regain the momentum, resulting in a handball in the box in the 56^th minute. Vernis converted her third penalty of the season with a rocket equalizer into the top left corner of the net. The Aggies continued to pepper Brown in net, but the Las Vegas native held firm, including a remarkable diving stop in the 87^th minute that maintained the tie.

Early in overtime, the Bulldogs broke the stalemate as senior defender Madison Haugen dispossessed A&M's Kate Colvin and passed ahead to Bethune, who set up graduate forward Hannah White for the go-ahead score in the 95^th minute. The Bulldogs entered the second overtime period with a one-goal lead, but the closing moments would prove difficult.

In the 102^nd minute, a foul on junior defender Jessie Dunn resulted in a penalty kick being awarded to Texas A&M. The initial penalty take was saved by Brown, but video review showed she left the line early, resulting in a second attempt for the Aggies. However, Sam Smith's attempt sailed wide to the right, keeping the Bulldogs in front. Two minutes later, a corner kick played into the box resulted in Jazmine Wilkinson leveling the score at two apiece. The match appeared to be heading into penalties until a foul on the Aggies' Margo Matula allowed for Vernis' free kick and the eventual winner by Bethune.

For Georgia, it was its first overtime victory since a 2-1 win over then-No. 5 LSU on Sept. 26, 2021, in Baton Rouge. It was also the Bulldogs' first overtime win at the SEC Tournament since topping Auburn, 2-1, in the 2010 tournament. Following Sunday's championship match, either Georgia or Arkansas will be SEC Tournament champions for the first time in program history.