The Georgia soccer team has advanced to the second round of the 2023 NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs are the No. 4 seed in the Clemson Regional, and a hard-fought 2-1 win over Liberty at home on Friday propelled the Bulldogs to the round of 32.
Midfielder Croix Bethune and forward Hannah White were the driving forces early in the first half, spacing out Liberty’s defense and attempting to find a gap early in the match. Midfielders Summer Denigan and Nicole Vernis also contributed with multiple attempted shots and assists.
Bethune and White’s consistent pressure on the Liberty defense paid off just over 20 minutes in, as a quick through ball from Bethune gave White an opportunity to finish into the bottom left corner of the goal. Though Georgia’s offense controlled possession for a majority of the first half, White’s goal remained Georgia’s only score of the half.
The second half continued the aggressive approach from Georgia’s offense, though Liberty found a rare opportunity to get past the Bulldog defense when the Flames scored a baseline goal with a little under 20 minutes left in the match. This equalizing goal turned the pressure on for Georgia, and continuous offensive efforts paid off eventually.
With around five minutes remaining, Bethune found freshman Kiera Staude, who sunk it in the bottom right corner of the goal after some quick maneuvering. This goal saved the Bulldogs from heading into overtime, and closed out the match for the Georgia victory.
Not only was Staude’s goal necessary to put the Bulldogs up late in the game, it was also her first collegiate goal. Staude has functioned as a key utility player, moving from center back to midfielder mid-season.
“That’s a lot of weight, but it speaks a lot to who she is: calm, collected, composed, and skilled on the ball,” head coach Keidane McAlpine said. “She’s played well beyond her years.”
While the shot margin of 29-4 may seem like a negative, Staude credited Georgia’s defense for much of the gap.
“We’re staying connected, and I feel like there’s a lot more chemistry on the back end,” Staude said. “A lot of credit goes to the back line for staying awake and keeping the pressure up no matter what.”
White and Bethune, who transferred to Georgia together from the University of Southern California, weighed in on the record-breaking season they have had. White said that the team “clicked at the right time, and when the time came, we executed.”
Bethune echoed much of the same sentiment.
“When you have people around you to help you reach [your goals], you can accomplish anything,” Bethune said.
The Bulldogs have received support from many other university programs, notably including a message from head football coach Kirby Smart. Receiving this type of support, along with consistent fan attendance, has not gone unnoticed.
“The team knows they’re not alone,” McAlpine said. “Their faces lit up when they saw Kirby talking to them.”
Georgia will now travel to Historic Riggs Field in Clemson, South Carolina to face off against Iowa. The 2nd round matchup is set for Nov. 17, and kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. EST.
“No matter who your opponent is, you have to respect them, and know that anything can happen,” Bethune says. “We have no choice; it’s win or go home now.”
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