Box Score MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College Soccer team (4-6) finished the spring 2021 season with a 5-0 victory at home against Georgia Southwestern State University (0-7-1) Monday.
Prior to the match, the Bobcats honored their five seniors that won't be coming back for the additional year of eligibility next season. Bobcat Nation saw the final match for seniors Hannah Asbell (LaGrange), Lydia Atkinson (Monroe), Sophia Bonser (Tyrone), Kai Jeffries (Lawrenceville) and Kayla Ruiz (Milton).
"This group of young ladies is going to be missed," said head coach Tinna Gallagher. "It has been fun to coach them the last two years, as we were reunited after I was part of their recruiting process five years ago. It's been awesome to see how they have grown into strong, outstanding women. Every one of them has made a positive impact on the Bobcat Soccer program in one way or another. Their commitment to the program is so appreciated, and I can't wait to see what their futures hold. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and more importantly the support of one another and your teammates on and off the field."
The Bobcats scored four times in the first half and never looked back.
In the 13th minute, senior Cassie Balzano (Douglasville) got the scoring started. Classmate Jeffries sent a cross through the box from the right side, and Balzano finished it with a knee strike. It was Balzano's fourth goal this year.
In the 16th minute, it was Balzano's turn for the assist, finding Alyssa Bergamini (West Suffield, Connecticut) on a give-and-go that the latter fired into the top of the cage for a 2-0 lead.
Alyssa Bergamini found pay-dirt again in the 21st minute, connecting with her twin sister Alexis Bergamini (West Suffield, Connecticut) for the second time in the juniors' careers. Alexis passed a low ball through multiple defenders to Alyssa, who pounded the net with a left-footed shot and a 3-0 lead. The goal gave her three on the season.
With under 10 minutes to go before halftime, senior Jeffries scored the first goal of her stellar career. A former All-Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and All-Southeast Region defender, Jeffries moved to the midfield this short season and saved her first career goal for senior day. Jeffries took a pass from Alexis Bergamini and scooped a left-footer from about 28 yards out for the 4-0 halftime advantage.
The lone goal of the second half was a special one, as freshman Amanda Ewers (Cumming) scored for the first time in her career, off a pass from senior Ruiz.
The match finishes the Spring 2021 season for Bobcat Soccer.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics is proud to receive the 2020 NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence. The two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner Cup and the former PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, GC Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on Graduating Champions For Life. Sign up at @GCBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.
