No. 23 Georgia Blanks San Francisco, 5-0, on Senior Day

Sunday, September 17

Athens, Ga.

11 a.m.

University of Georgia

4-1-3, 0-0-1

San Francisco

2-5-2, 0-0-0

San Francisco

Georgia

No. 23 Georgia Blanks San Francisco, 5-0, on Senior Day

September 17, 2023 | Soccer

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ATHENS, Ga. – Bolstered by a season-high five goals, the 23^rd-ranked University of Georgia soccer team concluded its non-conference season with a 5-0 win over San Francisco Sunday morning before 1,032 spectators at the Turner Soccer Complex.

For Georgia (4-1-3), four players tied for the team lead with two shots apiece, as the Bulldogs outshot the Dons by a narrow 14-13 margin with a 7-3 advantage in shots on frame. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Swoopes made her first career start in net, earning the win with two saves. Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Brown played during the middle portion of the match and tallied a stop as well.

"It just feels good to score," Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine said following the match. "We haven't scored like this all year, and just to have this versatility, to have some moments where we can get some quality repetition against a good, stout defense that still packed it in like we have seen in some of the other games is massive. And hopefully, it brings a little confidence. It gives them a little life. It makes them feel good about the progress they are making game-by-game because this was one of those games that was massive for them."

San Francisco (2-5-2) came out firing in the opening moments, attempting five shots in the first 10 minutes of play against Swoopes. Despite the initial barrage, Georgia found the scoreboard first as junior midfielder Aly Akers scored her first career goal off a pair of terrific assists from redshirt senior midfielder Nicole Vernis and freshman defender Kiera Staude. Later in the half, junior midfielder Ellie Gilbert launched a lofting goal from beyond the penalty box for her first score of the season. The goal was set up by another assist from Vernis, giving the North Palm Beach, Florida native four points for the week.

In the second half, the Bulldogs continued to press, resulting in a penalty kick being awarded in the 57^th minute. Senior defender Madison Haugen slotted the penalty just by the Dons' keeper for her first goal of the season. Junior forward Olivia Briede netted her first goal as a Bulldog in the 71^st minute, charging the net to deposit an assist from graduate midfielder Mallie McKenzie. The scoring concluded six minutes later as freshman forward Caroline Smith tallied her second score of the year, initiated by a pass from junior defender Alyssa Stadeker.

"What I was thinking was that I wanted to test their keeper," Gilbert said following the match. "Also, in the past few games, we have had trouble finishing. I think for everyone, we wanted to put as many shots on goals as we could today, and I think we did. We were able to turn those shots into goals, and that was awesome."

Georgia remains home this Thursday, Sept. 21 for its Southeastern Conference home opener against LSU at 6 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. Admission is free for all fans, with the first 500 receiving a throwback replica jersey honoring the 25^th anniversary of the 1998 team that reached the Sweet 16 and featured the first graduating class in program history. 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.