Bo Pitts Field was buzzing with excitement as Smith Cathey delivered in the clutch, breaking a 1-1 deadlock in the 70th minute to hand Georgia Southern a thrilling 2-1 Sun Belt victory over South Alabama on Friday night.
The Eagles (6-9-1, 3-4 SBC) ended their two-game skid in style, notching just their second win over the Jaguars (9-5-1, 4-2-1 SBC) in program history and their first since 1996. The win gives the Eagles a much-needed boost as they gear up for a showdown with archrival Georgia State this Thursday at 7 p.m.
Georgia Southern wasted no time getting on the board. In the fifth minute, a chaotic scramble in the box saw the ball pop out to senior Ansleigh Crenshaw at the top of the area. Crenshaw took control, dribbled into the box, and fired a curling shot inside the left post for her first goal of the season, putting the Eagles up 1-0.
Despite South Alabama holding an 8-6 advantage in shots, the Eagles held their ground and carried their lead into halftime.
The Jaguars evened things up in the 59th minute when Irene Campo’s point-blank shot was parried away by Eagles’ goalkeeper Katie Oakley, but Bonnie Frost was quick to pounce on the rebound and slot it home, making it 1-1.
With the momentum swinging back and forth, Georgia Southern found its answer in the 70th minute. A long free kick from Kendall Wilson sailed into the box, where South Alabama keeper Allison Luckhardt attempted to punch it clear. The ball fell to none other than Smith Cathey, who wasted no time rifling a shot past Luckhardt and into the far post for her seventh goal of the season — a goal that ultimately sealed the Eagles’ victory.
South Alabama had one final chance with a late free kick from the left side of the box, but the Eagles’ defense stood tall to preserve the 2-1 win.
Katie Oakley was a force between the sticks for Georgia Southern, recording eight saves, while Luckhardt made seven for the Jaguars. South Alabama edged the Eagles 16-12 in total shots and held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks, but it was the Eagles who emerged victorious with their grit and resilience.
“We came into today’s match backed into a corner, needing points,” head coach Chris Adams said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our kids for the resiliency they showed. We went up 1-0, they tied it, but we had an answer and kept fighting. The togetherness and having each other’s back is what I’m most proud of. Hail Southern!”
Georgia Southern will look to build on this momentum when they face Georgia State on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Atlanta. Hail Southern!
