Chattanooga’s Clarissa Salinas did it again to the Georgia State Panthers. Her late game goal tied the match 2-2 in the women’s soccer season opener for both teams, echoing UTC’s 1-1 draw against Georgia State on the same pitch in 2022.
Just as it looked like the Panthers might get the win with a go ahead goal in the 85th minute, Salinas responded with a penalty kick in the 89th to secure a draw for the Chattanooga.
UTC freshman Paige Thomas drew a foul just inside the 18-yard box giving the Mocs a penalty kick.
Salinas lined it up and knocked it into the bottom right corner to tie the match 2-2.
“A hard-fought opening match against a talented Georgia State side,” Mocs head coach Gavin McKinney said after the match. “We displayed quality, physicality, and great spirit to equalize late. We’ll build on this performance as we prepare for a tough match at Tennessee on Sunday.”
The Mocs scored first with goal in the 19th minute off a corner kick Zoe Mize. She delivered the corner to the near post where it was deflected off the post and the GSU keeper. Caroline Richvalsky was in the right spot and the ball landed at her feet at the line. She pushed it in to put the Mocs up 1-0.
Georgia State tied the game at the start of the second half and took the lead in the 85th minute with a header off a corner kick.
Chattanooga had 11 shots to Georgia State’s 12 and both teams had five on goal. Mocs keeper Caroline Ekern tallied three saves including two diving grabs in the first half to keep the Panthers out of the net in the opening frame.
Thomas had a team-high four shots, two on goal, and Richvalsky added three.
UTC remains on the road and will travel to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Lady Vols Sunday evening at Regal Soccer Stadium at 6:00 p.m. Follow all the action online at GoMocs.com.
SCORING SUMMARY
18:14 UTC Caroline Richvalsky (1); Zoey Mize
46:06 GSU Sunniyah Tucker (1); Bree Barley
84:37 GSU Bree Barley (1); Elena Diaz
88:32 UTC Clarissa Salinas (1); PENALTY KICK