Trojans Grab First Sun Belt Victory With Late Winner

LITTLE ROCK- Sairra Tucker was the hero on a rainy Friday night at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex as she netted the game-winning goal in the 80^th minute to seal the first conference victory for the Trojans against a scrappy Georgia State side.
 
"I told the girls to be patient," said Head Coach Mark Foster. "I thought that was a really hard-fought win. We played really well at times and played some of our best soccer, but we just couldn't get the goal in the final third. We found a way to separate ourselves and that's what good teams do. I was delighted that the girls got the win."
 
There was little to separate the teams in the first 45 minutes as both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the attacking third of the pitch. Both teams attempted long range efforts from outside the penalty area and neither team enjoyed any clear-cut opportunities.
 
Doro Greulich tried her luck with a left-footed strike early in the first half but her shot flew just wide of the post. Jaclyn Purvine blasted a left-footed shot of her own later in the half but the ball curled beyond the post.
 
Little Rock enjoyed majority of the possession in the second half and dominated in the attacking third. Tucker fired a shot of the crossbar and Arola Aparicio Gili narrowly missed a one-on-one opportunity with the Panther goalkeeper.
 
The winning moment came in the 80^th minute when Greulich managed to win a header that sent the ball through to Aparicio Gili. The Spanish forward unselfishly squared the ball across the face of goal to find the foot of Tucker who provided the vital touch for the goal.
 
The Trojan defensive proved to be stellar once again as the quartet of Bergros Asgeirsdottir, Liesa Seifert, Samantha Rolka and Nora Hellmers held strong all night, once again defending against a barrage of corners near the end of the match.
 
Sara Johannsdottir made seven saves on the night and earned her fifth shutout of the season as the freshman has made a huge impact in her first season as a Trojan.
 
The Trojans will travel to San Marcos, Texas for their next conference game for a matchup with Texas State on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
 
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