Highlanders Improve To 2-0 With Win Over ABAC

BARNESVILLE, Ga. -- Gordon State soccer was back in action Wednesday night as the Highlanders eased Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) 5-1 in a Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) contest.

For the second match in a row, the Highlanders used the opening minutes of the match to find their legs, probing the defense for openings to goal.

The first goal of the match came in the 15^th minute when freshman Madison Schmucker (Cape Coral, Fla. / Ida S. Baker HS) dribbled to the end-line before driving a cross to the back post where fellow freshman Bailey Arnold (Bethlehem, Ga. / Apalachee HS) placed the ball in the net for her third goal of the season.

Gordon State's comfortable start to the game came to an abrupt halt eleven minutes later when the Fillies hit them on the counterattack levelling the score at 1-1.

However, the Highlanders wasted little time in responding when freshman Sophia Kotopka (Riverview, Fla. / East Bay HS) stripped an ABAC midfielder of the ball, turned and curled a lovely ball into the upper left-hand corner to retake the lead. Kotopka's goal brings her tally to four on the season.  

The Highlanders stretched their lead to 3-1 in the closing seconds of the first half when Schmucker played provider once again by driving a cross to the back post where freshman Audrey Pavik (Kennesaw, Ga. / Harrison HS) scored her first of the night.

During the balance of the second half, GSC was in control of the match and the Highlanders jumped on the Fillies with two quick goals to open the half.

Pavik finished her second goal from close range in the 51^st minute off of a well-played assist from Kotopka. Less than 60 seconds later, sophomore Jasmine O'Hara's (Hollywood, Fla. / Cooper City HS) deflected ball dropped to Pavik's feet from which she calmly finished off her hat trick.

Those three goals give Pavik four on the campaign.

For the remainder of the evening the Highlanders maintained confident control of the match to improve to 2-0 overall and in the GCAA.

GSC will resume play Sunday, April 11 as the Highlanders go on the road to Cuthbert, Ga. for a rematch with Andrew College.

GSC defeated Andrew 14-0 on April 2 to open the regular season. 

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The Gordon State College Department of Athletics is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA). Gordon State College competes in NJCAA Division I in the sports of Women's Soccer (Fall), Men's Basketball (Fall/Spring), Softball (Spring) and Baseball (Spring). Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, Ga., approximately 60 miles south of Atlanta and 35 miles northwest of Macon. Gordon State College offers both two-year and four-year degree programs and believes that our Athletics program provides student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful academically, athletically and in life after their time as a Highlander.  Follow GSC Athletics at www.gscathletics.com, on Facebook (@Gordon State Highlanders) and Twitter (@state_ad / GordonStateAD). You can also follow Gordon State College on Facebook (@GordonStateCollege #GSCHighlandersForward), Twitter (@GordonState) and Instagram (gordon_state).