.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
7-2-0, 1-0-0
Georgia
6-2-1, 0-1-0
Rebel Soccer Wins SEC Opener Over Georgia, 1-0
9/23/2005 | Soccer
Sept. 23, 2005
Final Stats
ATHENS, Ga. - Jennifer Hance scored a thrilling goal with three minutes left in regulation to propel Ole Miss (7-2-0) to a 1-0 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs (6-2-1) in both teams' SEC opener Friday night and in front of 2,032 fans at the UGA Soccer Complex.
After no scoring in the first 87 minutes, senior Hillary Beckman served up a cross from the left side to Hance, who fired a first-time volley from inside the box for the Ole Miss goal.
"This is an unbelievable win," said a very happy head coach Steve Holeman. "It's a great feeling to win like this in our first conference game of the year."
Sophomore goalkeeper Ann Shelton, who was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for her performance against Memphis and Charlotte, produced her second-straight complete game shutout, saving six Georgia shots on goal.
Five of Ole Miss' seven wins have been by shutout, including two in a row.
Hance, a freshman from Sugar Land, Texas, moved past sophomore Chrissy Strini, to take the lead in goals scored for the Rebels with four on the season. Hance was named SEC Freshman of the Week after a stellar performance at the UCF Invitational in week two of the season.
Both teams came out of the gates playing strong defense, as Ole Miss managed just one shot in the first half. The Bulldogs had the edge in the half as they got off nine shots, including four shots on goal, but Shelton saved all four in the period to preserve the scoreless tie going into the half.
"There is no question Georgia had a better first half," Holeman added. "They outplayed us and solved our system, forcing us to make an adjustment at halftime. We made the adjustment and came out in the second half in a 3-5-2 (formation), and that really evened the game out."
After being out-shot 9-1 in the first half, the Rebels had six shots to Georgia's seven in the second period, but none were more important than that of Hance at the 87:04 mark.
"The second half was just a great half of SEC soccer," Holeman said. "It could have gone either way. We are just very happy to get the victory, because it is never easy to win on the road in this conference."
Beckman and Amy Gill each fired two shots, while Ashley Ferree and Amanda Verkin rounded out the shooting for Ole Miss.
The Rebels' win over the Bulldogs is their second straight over UGA and moves the all-time record versus Georgia to 5-5.
Ole Miss will return to the field of competition when they travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to take on the Tennessee Lady Vols on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
Jennifer Hance
Assisted By: Hillary Beckman
cross from left side into box, one-timer
87:04
