Stearns, Stone Guide Trojans to Victory

Thursday, October 12

Troy, Ala.

7 P.M.

Troy University

6-8-2, 4-3

Georgia State

3-9-2, 1-5-1

Georgia State

Troy

Photo by: Colin Edwards

10/12/2017 10:21:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Wes Johnson

TROY, Alabama – The Troy soccer team got off a fast start led by Qarli Stone's brace en route to a 3-0 win over Georgia State on Thursday at the Troy Soccer Complex.

Just 2:58 into the game, Emily Stearns corralled a deflected clearance and chipped the keeper from eight yards out. The goal was the first of the season for the junior and the quickest score by the Trojans since Chelsey Williams scored 110 seconds into Troy's 4-0 win over Austin Peay in 2015.

Stone wasted little time doubling the Trojans' (6-8-2, 4-3 Sun Belt) lead blasting a shot top shelf in the 12^th minute for her third goal of the season. She added her fourth of the year 17 minutes into the second half, a missile over the keeper's head from nine yards away. Stone led all players with five shots, four on goal.

Mikki Lewis earned the shutout but was barely tested in the effort. Georgia State (3-9-2, 1-5-1) managed just two shots on goal in the contest. Lewis now has 30 career shutouts and 37 career victories, extending records she already held. Her career shutout total moves her into a tie for third in Sun Belt Conference history.

QUOTABLE
"To be able to come out within the first 15 minutes of the second half and put the game to bed was good for the girls," Troy head coach Ged O'Connor said. "The best thing is two games, two clean sheets, which is something that we've been preaching to the girls."

UP NEXT
Troy returns to action on Oct. 20 when the team makes the trek to The Lone Star State to take on Texas State. The Trojans are then at UL Lafayette on Oct. 22.

NOTEWORTHY
• Troy has now pitched back-to-back shutouts for the second time this season and in three of the last four matches. The Trojans have held opponents scoreless in seven games.

• Stearns added her name to the long list of players that have found the back of the net for Troy as 13 different players have scored the Trojans' 24 goals this season.

• Stone's brace was the first of her career and the second of the year for the Trojans. Alison Watkins scored twice against Jackson State on Aug. 27.

For more on Troy soccer, visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on Twitter at @TroyTrojansWSOC.