For the 13th time since 2005, the Owls faced their counterparts down I-75 when the Georgia State Panthers made the trip up to 5/3 Bank Stadium on Thursday, Sep. 7.
The Owls entered the match holding a 1-2-2 record, while the Panthers sat at 3-1-2 after suffering their first loss of the season at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels
Georgia State got off to a quick start when forwards Aaliyah Faddoul and Callee Maughon had golden opportunities within the first 10 minutes. Just a few minutes later, Ana Diaz put yet another opportunity just off-goal for the Panthers as the Owls struggled to maintain any sort of possession early.
The Owls finally got a look at the net when senior forward Tianna Rivera put a shot on goal that was stopped by Panthers goalkeeper Ariana Anderson.
An Allanah Blye save at the 21-minute mark in the first half kept the score even at 0-0.
Before the half concluded, the Owls saw some of their best opportunities. Mai Jensen put a shot on goal and Camryn Simmons had an attempt bounce off a defender inside the 18-yard box.
In a scoreless first half, the Owls headed to the break tied at 0-0. With an ugly six fouls to the Panthers’s two, the frustration was clear.
The second half started quickly for the Panthers when forwards Seike Ikezoe and Elena Diaz had chances to get on the board but couldn’t convert.
The Owls would take back the momentum when Mai Jensen had multiple breakaway opportunities to break the tie around the midway point in the half. However, the Panther defense was able to hold strong, keeping the score locked at a 0-0 stalemate.
With time winding down in a slow second half, it had seemed that a tie was accepted by both sides. But Callee Maughon had other ideas. The Panther forward put her second attempt of the night off the post for what was the best opportunity of the night for either side.
The Owls wouldn’t go quietly either. With under five minutes to play, Macie Rainwater was gifted an open look at goal at the top of the six-yard box. She was unfortunately unable to convert and put the ball over the crossbar, solidifying a 0-0 tie.
Goalkeeper Allanah Blye picked up her third shutout of the season to put the Owls’ record on the season to 1-2-3.
With the tie, the Owls still hold the all-time series advantage against Georgia State at 6-3-4.
The Owls will return to close out non-conference play on Sunday, Sep. 10, when they travel to Birmingham, Alabama, for a matchup with the Samford Bulldogs.
