WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Sarah Griffith put an exclamation point on her return to the pitch, netting Purdue women's soccer's game-winner against Georgia. The season-opening win was decided in the 83rd minute to move Purdue to a 1-0-0 record.
Griffith entered the starting lineup after redshirting her sophomore year due to injury. The Naperville, Illinois, product netted the third goal of her career on a pass from Teagan Jones. Receiving the ball at the top of the box, Griffith maneuvered around the Bulldog defender to net the ball in the upper-right 90 of the goal.
Griffith was joined by freshman Sydney Sparks and senior Ena Sabanagic as Purdue's leading shot-takers with three apiece. Sabanagic produced two first-half close encounters in the 38th and 39th minute after a blocked shot allowed a second-chance opportunity. With the Georgia keeper coming off her line to make the first save, Sabanagic capitalized on the rebound, but fell just shy of a celebration when a Bulldog recorded a team save on the line.
Meanwhile, the Boilermakers picked up the pace in the second half, doubling their first half shots in just the first 15 minutes of the half. By the close of the game, Purdue out-shot Georgia 10-5 in the second half.
Marisa Bova collected the shutout with two saves for the second shutout of her career. In addition to the netminder, four Boilermakers went the distance: sophomores Skylurr Patrick, Julia Ware and Grace Walsh and Sparks.
13th Minute
Georgia notched the first shot of the game, which went wide right.
21st Minute
Purdue keeper Marisa Bova makes the first save of the game, coming off a direct kick just outside the box.
33rd Minute
Purdue earned its first corner kick. Then a minute later, the Boilermakers registered two shots. The first coming from Sparks, which was blocked. On the rebound, Julia Ware fired a shot off, but it went just north of the crossbar.
38th Minute
Sabanagic rattled off two strong opportunities on-net. First was saved by the Georgia goalkeeper and on the deflection, Sabangic shot again – this time saved by a well-placed defender on the goal line.
63rd Minute
Purdue earned its first corner kick of the second half. Sparks takes a shot and it's saved by the Georgia keeper.
83rd Minute
Sarah Griffith scored the game-winner.
89th Minute
The Boilermakers posted back-to-back shots as Hannah Melchiorre fired one on goal, followed by Sabanagic (wide left).
Purdue returns to Folk Field on Sunday for Pooches at the Pitch. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to watch Purdue take on Toledo at 1 p.m. ET.
Griffith entered the starting lineup after redshirting her sophomore year due to injury. The Naperville, Illinois, product netted the third goal of her career on a pass from Teagan Jones. Receiving the ball at the top of the box, Griffith maneuvered around the Bulldog defender to net the ball in the upper-right 90 of the goal.
Griffith was joined by freshman Sydney Sparks and senior Ena Sabanagic as Purdue's leading shot-takers with three apiece. Sabanagic produced two first-half close encounters in the 38th and 39th minute after a blocked shot allowed a second-chance opportunity. With the Georgia keeper coming off her line to make the first save, Sabanagic capitalized on the rebound, but fell just shy of a celebration when a Bulldog recorded a team save on the line.
Meanwhile, the Boilermakers picked up the pace in the second half, doubling their first half shots in just the first 15 minutes of the half. By the close of the game, Purdue out-shot Georgia 10-5 in the second half.
Marisa Bova collected the shutout with two saves for the second shutout of her career. In addition to the netminder, four Boilermakers went the distance: sophomores Skylurr Patrick, Julia Ware and Grace Walsh and Sparks.
13th Minute
Georgia notched the first shot of the game, which went wide right.
21st Minute
Purdue keeper Marisa Bova makes the first save of the game, coming off a direct kick just outside the box.
First real chance of the night for Georgia but Marisa Bova passes the test. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/hzvdjdvKzX
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) August 22, 2019
33rd Minute
Purdue earned its first corner kick. Then a minute later, the Boilermakers registered two shots. The first coming from Sparks, which was blocked. On the rebound, Julia Ware fired a shot off, but it went just north of the crossbar.
Best chance yet for the Boilermakers as Julia Ware just misses from distance. Scoreless, eight minutes left in the first half. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/F9ZgsBZjPE
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) August 22, 2019
38th Minute
Sabanagic rattled off two strong opportunities on-net. First was saved by the Georgia goalkeeper and on the deflection, Sabangic shot again – this time saved by a well-placed defender on the goal line.
63rd Minute
Purdue earned its first corner kick of the second half. Sparks takes a shot and it's saved by the Georgia keeper.
Solid corner, good header, great save by the Georgia keeper. Scoreless, under 30 to go. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/zYmoz1SLQB
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) August 23, 2019
83rd Minute
Sarah Griffith scored the game-winner.
Sarah Griffith lifts the lid on the 2019 season in a BIG way, Boilers lead 1-0 with under 7 minutes to go at Folk Field! #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/hdRepT7WdK
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) August 23, 2019
89th Minute
The Boilermakers posted back-to-back shots as Hannah Melchiorre fired one on goal, followed by Sabanagic (wide left).
Purdue returns to Folk Field on Sunday for Pooches at the Pitch. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to watch Purdue take on Toledo at 1 p.m. ET.