JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 24, 2023) - In a frenetic and physical opening match, the Bucs had just enough to fend off a team with a point to prove.
ETSU defeated the new-look Georgia Southern Eagles 1-0 in its 2023 debut Thursday night at Summers-Taylor Stadium. Gabriel Ramos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) found the net in the aftermath of a first-half corner kick to put the only daylight between the Bucs and the Eagles.
Both teams had their first look at goal early. ETSU (1-0-0) got its first opportunity when Tarik Pannholzer (Flensburg, Germany) broke down the fullback in the 10th minute. The ball was swept away into the feet of Georgia Southern's (0-1-0) Jack Ireland, who tested the Bucs' back line, only for the chance to peter out on a missed shot from Jacob Arachchige-Jensen.
A well-struck cross by Louie Salkeld (Newcastle, England) just missed the outstretched foot of Ramos in the 11th minute. Kieran Richards (Hamilton, New Zealand) threatened in the 13th minute but was forced to a tight angle by the Eagles' defense. Richards created more problems when he got past Alex Smith and delivered a promising cross, but the opening goal eluded the Bucs once more.
Georgia Southern was not without chances of its own.
Manuel Prieto had a shot from 12 yards out parried away by a diving Cole Hunter (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) in the 20th minute. Hunter spoiled another corner in the 24th minute, and an effort by Smith from 20 yards was blocked away by the defense. Hunter caught the ensuing corner and deflated the biggest threat to his goal in the first half.
The Bucs found the net in the 27th minute. Sebastian Reventlow-Mourier (Viborg, Denmark) won a contested ball at midfield and found Salkeld streaking down the flank. Salkeld's cross was deflected away from Israel Garcia-Perez (Asheville, N.C.) for a corner. On the ensuing set piece, Garcia-Perez slid onto the ball again at the top of the box, weaved through two defenders, and threaded a pinpoint pass to Ramos who put it away in the top right corner over Nate Martinez for his sixth career goal.
The second half started with a bang.
Salkeld had a shot blocked from just inside the top of the box seconds after play resumed. The ensuing carom fell to Ireland, who threatened with pace but was corralled by the ETSU defense and forced to shoot wide of goal. Ramos had another chance blocked, and Pannholzer missed wide from a tight angle in the 50th minute. Garcia-Perez got a clean look from the right side in the 55th minute but drove the ball straight into the chest of Martinez. The Eagles cranked up the pressure in response with direct buildup that tested the back line, but the Bucs weathered the storm and held on to win the season opener.
ETSU totaled 10 shots to Georgia Southern's nine, led by Ramos and Zayd Idlibi (Charlotte, N.C.) in his debut with two each. The game was physical, with 12 fouls for each team, and ETSU won possession 52% to 48%. The win marks the eighth career shutout for Hunter, breaking a tie with Ronnie Hreha for fourth-most in school history.
The Bucs have little time to catch their breath, with a trip to Lexington and #3 Kentucky waiting in the wings for Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on ETSU men's soccer, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's soccer tab.
