>>>boxscore
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - In the waning seconds of
the first overtime period, the Georgia College & State
University soccer team (9-5-4, 5-1-3 PBC) took advantage of
possibly their last chance in the frame, as sophomore Megan McAlpin
(Newnan, Ga.) scored the game-winner with a header in a
2-1 win over USC Aiken tonight (Oct. 28) at Bobcat Field.
A foul and yellow card had given Georgia College a free kick
opportunity near the center of the field, about 40 yards out.
Senior Daria
Owen (Snellville, Ga.) put a charge into one, finding
the underside of the crossbar. An alert McAlpin capitalized on the
rebound, heading it into the left side for the win with just 38
seconds left.
After a scoreless first half, the Bobcats struck first with 5:56
left in the second stanza. The USC Aiken defense attempted to clear
the ball up the middle, but Owen picked off the pass from her
midfield spot, and rocketed a 35-yarder for her third goal of the
season and a 1-0 lead.
Catching the Bobcat defense off guard after their score, the
Pacers worked down the field quickly, netting the tying strike on a
botched Bobcat clear just 1:11 later. The two teams went into
overtime at 1-1.
It was in overtime that McAlpin's heroics came into play, her
fourth goal of the year. Owen was credited with the assist, her
first on the season. The Bobcats remain undefeated in overtime
(3-0-4) and when they score (9-0-1) this year. They also can't be
beat when McAlpin has points, as in her two-year career the
'Cats are 14-0.
Defending Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Goalkeeper of the Week
Mary
Rob Plunkett (Augusta, Ga.) made six stops in seven
tries in the win. The Pacer goal ended a scoreless stretch of a
whopping 536:26 for Plunkett this season, dating back to Oct. 7.
Nicole Westphal made seven saves in the losing effort.
The win was also the 55th in program history, a
55-36-21 mark all-time. GCSU has never lost to USCA, going 5-0-1.
A victory gives the Bobcats 18 points in the PBC standings,
leapfrogging Lander University into fourth place. The No. 4 slot is
crucial, as the top four teams host PBC Quarterfinal match-ups
Tuesday, Nov. 3. With one game left, Georgia College could finish
as high as tied for second, or as low as sixth.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.,
hosting the University of Montevallo for Senior Day.
The GCSU Department of Athletics, winners of the 2008-09 PBC
Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the
NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Georgia College
prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete,
evidenced by the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season
competition as well as Twitter.com
username GCSUSID for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit documented
academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at
www.GCSUBobcats.com to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and
Colonials to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
