ORLANDO, FL – The Georgia Southern men’s soccer team (6-4-4, 2-3-2 SBC) came away with a commanding 2-0 victory over UCF (5-5-3, 3-4 SBC) on Sunday night, overcoming a tough first half to notch two crucial second-half goals.
Match Breakdown
In the opening half, UCF dominated possession and offensive momentum, recording eight shots and containing Georgia Southern to just one. Both defenses stood firm, however, and the teams went into halftime locked in a scoreless tie.
The Eagles found their stride in the second half, turning their limited chances into goals. In the 68th minute, Kevin Pierre made a dynamic run from midfield, passing to freshman Harvey Sarajian, who drilled a shot into the side netting for his fourth goal of the season. Just 11 minutes later, Sarajian’s throw-in led to a clever backheel finish by Ricky Louis, doubling Georgia Southern’s lead.
Despite UCF’s 12-6 shot advantage, Georgia Southern’s defense held strong, conceding only one shot on target. The Eagles withstood eight UCF corner kicks, capitalizing on their efficient shooting and resolute defending.
Key Quotes
“In the second half, it was just a matter of did we have the belief and quality to break through while still being resilient and defensively strong at the other end,” said Coach Squires. “The guys kept Harvey and Ricky fresh, allowing them to capitalize in the second half when we could stretch UCF. Harvey’s brilliant strike and an opportunistic goal by Ricky were the difference-makers.”
What’s Next
The Eagles return to Bo Pitts Field on November 1 for their final home game and Senior Day matchup against Old Dominion. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
