STATESBORO, Ga. – The Jacksonville Dolphins women's soccer team has started its 2025 campaign 2-0 after a commanding 4-1 victory on the road against Georgia Southern.
The 'Phins (2-0-0) have now scored 13 goals in two games played. In JU's last 10 matchups against GSU dating back to 2005, the Dolphins have lost just one time (2021).
EXPLOSIVE FIRST HALF
The Dolphins pressed the attack against the Eagles early, with a Laura Di Mascio free kick just barely missing the back of the net in the eighth minute. Di Mascio's shot off the pipe was followed just minutes later by Manuela Restrepo's first shot of the day in the 11th minute.
Two minutes later, Restrepo found paydirt as she netted the game's opening goal and her third goal in three halves of soccer played to that point.
GSU answered in the 31st minute with a goal that narrowly got through the Dolphin defense.
It didn't take long for the 'Phins to answer themselves as in the 35th minute, a long through-ball by Restrepo found the fast feet of Alicia Rey Perez who raced past the last of the GSU defenders and the keeper for her second goal of the year.
At the halftime break, JU had outshot GSU 7-6 and had six shots on goal to Georgia Southern's four.
PEAL SEALS THE DEAL
The high-paced action from the first half carried over in the second, with GSU flipping the game and pressing the attack for much of the final 45 minutes of play.
That was until Olivia Peal caught a ball outside of the GSU box, spun her defender and deked the Eagles' goalie for her second goal of the season, giving her team a 3-1 lead in the 72nd minute.
To cap off the day, sophomore Georgina Spraggon found herself in the right place at the right time. Millie Urquhart tossed a ball towards across the front of the net that found the front of Spraggon's legs and later nylon. That goal was the first of Spraggon's career.
By game's end, JU had 10 shots on goal to GSU's 6.
COACH'S COMMENTS
"Today was an enjoyable road result against a well coached team," head coach Ryan Moon said. "We managed the game very maturely through different stages we were presented with. The first part of the second half they came out very strong and put us under a lot of pressure. I was proud of the way we handled that pressure by being organized, calm and building back into the game to grab a third and then close the game with a fourth. We still have some areas we want to tidy up, but I am really happy with the depth of the squad and the commitment everyone showed in what we've been asking of them."
NEXT UP
JU will continue to take their show on the road as the Dolphins travel down to Coral Gables to face off against the University of Miami on Sunday, August 24 at 1 p.m.
Game Notes
- Lina Ballmann received a yellow card.
- JU keeper Pia Bozic piled up five saves for the Dolphins out of 15 total shots.
