GCSU Gets First Postseason Win; Downs Clayton State 2-0

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – In a season of firsts and records set, the Georgia College & State University women’s soccer team (13-4) added another tonight (Oct. 30) with its first ever postseason victory, a 2-0 shutout of Clayton State University (9-6-1) at Bobcat Field. The Bobcats will advance to the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) semifinals for the first time.

The Bobcats powered home two goals in the first half, and rode the advantage the rest of the way out. Sophomore Daria Owen (Snellville, Ga.) and rookie Kayla Emerson (Fayetteville, Ga.) each found the net for GCSU.

“What this roster allows us is a lot of different types of players to put out there,” said GCSU head coach Robert Parr. “Our lineup was a bit different tonight than it has been in the past. The effort we get from everyone is a key to our success. It feels great to get a playoff win.”

In the 29th minute, Owen started the scoring with a dead ball kick from the right side about 25 yards out, and slammed it into the upper left corner of the net.

Nearly six minutes later, Emerson was working down the right sideline and crossed a ball into the box. The bouncing sphere rattled behind goalkeeper Whitney Jowers after she initially made the save, and eventually crossed the goal-line.

The Bobcat defensive line held PBC leading goal scorer Olaitan Yusuf to just one shot all night, and the team to just two shots total. Playing the full 90 minutes on the defensive line to shut down the Lakers were Britni Emerson (Fayetteville, Ga.), Morgan Cobb (Cataula, Ga.), Jessica Binkowski (Cumming, Ga.) and Ally Treat (Fayetteville, Ga.).

The beneficiary of the defense was freshman Mary Rob Plunkett (Augusta, Ga.) who made one save for her second shutout of the season. Laker netminder Whitney Jowers took the loss.

The Bobcats will be back in action Friday, Nov. 2 when they travel to face No. 5 Columbus State University (13-3-1) in the PBC semifinals. The Lady Cougars beat USC Aiken 7-0 tonight in their quarterfinal.

The GCSU Department of Athletics sponsors 10 NCAA Division II athletic programs over three seasons. As a Division II program, GCSU prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the Bobcats’ multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Follow the Bobcats and their positive impact on the Milledgeville community at www.gcsu.edu/bobcats.