by Katie Parker, sports information graduate assistant

>>>box score

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Georgia College & State University soccer team (1-0-1) took on Tusculum College (1-2) tonight in a 2-1 victory for the Bobcats at Columbus State University. Senior Mary Byrne's (Lawrenceville, Ga.) first career goal proved to be the difference, getting Georgia College its first win of the 2008 season.

The Bobcats' first goal of the night came during the first period in the 19th minute. Assisted by junior Jamie Nevin (Grovetown, Ga.), classmate Lyric Burnett (Douglasville, Ga.) scored her 10th career goal off a deflection. Nevin's assist put her in sole possession of the career assists mark at Georgia College. She finished with two in the game putting her at 13, two ahead of both Britni Emerson (2004-07) and Emily Norris (2004-07).

Even though Burnett's shot got by her, Tusculum's Vanessa Fyffe managed to snag two saves before halftime while sophomore Mary Rob Plunkett (Augusta, Ga.) had one for the Bobcats.

The Pioneers answered back in the second period just before the 50th minute. Kelly Barron soared one past Plunkett off of a deflection with the assistance of Danielle Tanner. In the 53rd minute Georgia College took the final advantage with a 15-yard shot by Byrne off a header pass from Nevin, her second assist of the night.

Both Fyffe and Plunkett grabbed a pair of saves in the second period giving Fyffe four for the night and Plunkett three with complete game efforts.

The win is the first in program history over Tusculum, as the Pioneers got a 4-0 victory in 2004, the only other meeting. The Bobcats are also undefeated (2-0) all-time in neutral site contests.

GCSU is back in action Sunday, Sept. 7 at home against Limestone College with a 2 p.m. start.

The GCSU Department of Athletics sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. 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.