The Georgia Southern women’s soccer team lost to the Appalachian State Mountaineers 1-0 on Sept. 28 but rebounded against The Western Carolina University Catamounts 2-1 on Sept. 30 in Cullowhee N.C.

The first half was a defensive struggle as both teams failed to score a goal.  Senior midfielder Carlee Storey attempted the game’s first shot but could not find the net.  The offensive struggles   were reminiscent of Friday’s 1-0 loss to the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

GSU came out ready to put points on the scoreboard, but the team was blindsided by a goal from WCU freshman forward Markie Studnicky in the 63^rd minute.  The Eagles found themselves down for the second time in two games.

“We are always concerned about the other team’s offense but we make sure we do a good job preparing for it.  We put full trust in our defenders as well as Katie Merson in goal,” head coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel said.

It was the defenders coach Vanderspiegel spoke of as well as junior goalkeeper Katie Merson that had to step up with GSU trailing 1-0 early in the second half.  The ladies did just that by not allowing a goal for the rest of the game.

GSU didn’t have to wait very long to pull even on the scoreboard as junior forward Alex Murphy was assisted by freshman midfielder Nora El-Shami on her first goal of the season.  The Eagles scored just three minutes after Western Carolina with the equalizer coming in the 66^th minute.

Feeding off the momentum of the first goal, sophomore forward Sydnie Van Curen scored unassisted in the 73^rd minute.  Her team leading sixth goal gave GSU all the offense necessary as the team held on for a 2-1 victory over a conference opponent.

Goals were hard to come by this weekend, which was a far cry from the five goal outburst Sept. 23 against The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  That was the best offensive game of the season for GSU.

“We hope to build off that and treat it as a rung on the ladder, so to speak.  Now we’ve climbed the first step and we just need to make sure to continue on with the same trend that we did last Sunday” Coach Vanderspiegel said.

The win moves the Eagles to 6-3-3 on the season and brings the team’s SoCon record to 2-2. .500 is the best conference winning percentage the Eagles have been able to maintain.