BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford soccer team netted a late goal to remain unbeaten on the season with a 1-0 victory over Georgia State Thursday evening at Shuana Yelton Field.
With the win, Samford improved to 2-0-1 on the season. Georgia State fell to 1-2 with the loss. The start of the game was delayed for an hour due to a wreck on the interstate that held Georgia State's bus from arriving on time.
"This was really hard," Samford head coach
Todd Yelton said. "With conditions this hot, when you get pushed to kickoff late and you're sitting around waiting for that, it makes it a little bit harder. But, fair play to Georgia State, they've got a really good team and they are really hard to break down. I really respect what our kids did tonight, finding a way to win against what I think is a really quality side."
Samford senior forward
Sam De Luca, the reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, netted her first goal of the season late in the game to give Samford the winning margin. She scored the goal in the 77
th minute off an assist from sophomore
Langston Lilly.
De Luca had a couple of chances to score earlier in the contest, one in the first half that made it into the net, but was called back due to a Samford foul. She also had a chance in the second half, but was just wide, narrowly missing a goal.
Samford goalkeeper
Peyton Hull posted her third shutout to open the season. The three shutouts to open the season are the most for Samford since the 2009 team opened the season with seven-straight shutouts. Hull saved four shots without allowing a goal in the win.
For Georgia State, goalkeeper Alondra Iriarte also saved four shots, allowing one goal. Aaliyah Faddoul led the team with three shots.
Samford will next play at South Alabama on Sunday, Aug. 23. The game is set for a 1 p.m. start from Mobile, Ala.
SCORING SUMMARY
SAM: 77
th minute:
Sam De Luca goal off an assist from
Langston Lilly
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