Chattanooga opened the scoring and closed the scoring in downtown Atlanta Thursday night as they drew 2-2 with Georgia State at the GSU Soccer Complex in the first match of the 2024 season for both teams.
In the 18th minute, an in-swinging corner kick from Zoey Mize went off the near post and deflected off of Panthers' goalkeeper Jaddah Foos. The ball fell to Caroline Richvalsky who rolled it into the open net for a strange opening goal and the Mocs kept their lead until halftime.
Georgia State came out strong to open the second half and found the equalizer quickly in the 46th minute. A ball over the top from Aaliyah Faddoul sent Bree Barley streaking in down the right. Her left footed cross picked out freshman Sunniyah Tucker on the back post who slotted it home.
The Mocs recovered after sustained Georgia State pressure and the match looked destined for a draw until Barley headed home a perfectly delivered corner kick from Elena Diaz in the 84th minute to give the Panthers their first lead of the night.
However, that destiny was found as a penalty was called after Foos collided hip-to-hip with Paige Thomas late in the match. Clarissa Salinas, who had the equalizer last time these teams met in 2022, did the job again to level the match at 2-2 in the 88th minute. The Panthers had a couple of opportunities as time ran out, including an acrobatic bicycle kick from Elena Diaz that was blocked, but the match finished 2-2.
Chattanooga will head to Knoxville to face Tennessee on Sunday, while Georgia State's next match will be next Thursday in Oxford, MS as they head to face Ole Miss.
✍️: Jason Longshore
📷: Bree Hicken
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