Wilmington, N.C.—The Georgia State men’s soccer team took an early one-goal lead but could not close out the victory in a 2-1 loss at UNCW on Wednesday night.

The Panthers return home on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. match vs. Drexel. Four of GSU’s (4-9-0, 1-5-0) next five matches are at home beginning with a match against the Colonial Athletic Association leaders, Drexel, on Saturday. GSU also hosts No. 8 Old Dominion on Oct. 24.

Georgia State senior Alex Vivanco took advantage of a UNCW turnover deep in the attacking third and fired home his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Vivanco corralled an errant pass from a UNCW defender and wired a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the lower left corner of the net. The unassisted goal was the 11^th of his career.

The Panthers went into halftime with the 1-0 lead and held it early in the second half. UNCW (6-8-1, 3-4-0) freshman Colin Bonner tied the match at one after he ripped a shot off a cross from sophomore Jamie Dell that glanced off a GSU defender and found the back of the net. Less than two minutes later UNCW freshman Nathaniel Goodwin buried a rebound off a shot from Dell on a free kick to put the Seahawks up 2-1 at the 60:18 mark.

GSU redshirt sophomore CJ Cochran made three saves in the losing effort, his first start since Aug. 29. UNCW freshman Sam Williams made one save to earn the win. UNCW snapped a three-match losing streak with the win.

GSU, led by third-year head coach Brett Surrency, returns home to take on the top team in the CAA, Drexel, on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Visit the men’s soccer page on GeorgiaStateSports.com for a preview of Saturday’s match later this week.

www.GeorgiaStateSports.com