Soccer With Perfect Weekend

None — ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia soccer team turned in its highest scoring output since the 2009 season opener, posting a 5-0 victory over Kansas on Sunday afternoon in Nike Invitational action at the UGA Soccer Stadium. The Bulldogs were a perfect 2-0 this weekend as they also secured a 3-0 win Friday night over Utah.

Three players were credited with Georgia's five goals, including two apiece from sophomore Susannah Dennis and freshman Meghan Gibbons – who tallied the first two scores of her Bulldog career. Junior Ashley Miller netted the eventual game-winner as she scored first today.

The five-spot was the Bulldogs' highest scoring total since Aug. 21, 2009 when they netted six vs. Kennesaw State. After scoring just one goal all of last season and playing primarily on the defensive end, Dennis now has three already in 2010.

"I wanted this year to be a fresh start for me," Dennis said. "Being healthy, I told myself I wanted to attack this year. We have grown so much as a team this year. We are putting away chances and working together as a team."

Georgia moves to 2-1 while Kansas falls to 1-1.

Miller got the party started for Georgia as she struck nearly 21 minutes into the first half for her first of the season. The play began when Laura Eddy fired a shot that found its way to the feet of Alexa Newfield, who laid it off in the 18 for Miller to slot it past the keeper for the 1-0 edge.

Nearly 15 minutes later, Dennis connected on a volley as she followed up on a loose ball in front and blasted it past Kat Liebetrau to give the Bulldogs 2-0 lead with 10 to go before the intermission. It remained 2-0 as the teams headed into the locker rooms, with Georgia holding a commanding 12-2 lead in the shot column and having not allowed a corner to that point.

Dennis picked up where she left off in the second frame, getting on the board again in the 55th minute as she charged in from the top of the box to send a Newfield pass by Liebetrau for her second of the day and third of the season.

The freshman Gibbons was next as she gave UGA a 4-0 lead with under 10 to play, getting a foot on the rebound after Alex Hooker sent the ball into traffic in front.

Gibbons followed with her second of the day in the 89th minute, taking a pass from Caroline Simpson and beating the keeper for an open look at the goal. Gibbons' second of the season made it 5-0 in favor of the Dogs which is where it would stay as Georgia held on for the victory in front of 1,170 to capture the weekend sweep.

Three Georgia players – Dennis, Gibbons, and freshman Carli Shultis – fired four shots apiece while Miller and Newfield had three each. Overall, the Bulldogs outpaced the Jayhawks 26-3 in that category, and didn't allow a Kansas shot until 12 minutes remained in the first half.

Keeper Ashley Baker logged her second shutout of the weekend, making three saves and keeping Kansas off the board. Liebtrau pulled in 15 saves on her end, just one off the KU school record. Georgia held the edge in corners, 10-1.

A total of 22 players saw action for Georgia.

"The shutout was a testament to how well the team attacked and protected the ball," said head coach Steve Holeman. "Kansas is a good team. They'll go on and have a good season. To put five goals in, I never imagined that. The great thing about this team is we have a lot of depth. We were able to rotate a lot of players in. We kept the foot on the gas and the pressure on. We're still learning. Since the Duke game we've had time to work on a few things and it paid off this weekend."

-Georgia Sports Properties

WSBTV