Collier brace sees Augusta Soccer Team win their debut home match

Augusta downs Georgia Revolution U23 in Saturday matinee

The new Augusta Soccer Team, an expansion USPL Georgia side made a successful home debut defeating the Georgia Revolution U23 4-1 Saturday afternoon at the Augusta Soccer Park. The Panthers have played just two UPSL matches but already have scored 8 goals allowing just 2 goals against in their inaugural season.

In a very physical match filled with fouls and cautions, Augusta struck first from the penalty spot as Kevin Reyes beat the fully-extended Revs keeper for the 1-0 advantage in the 12^th minute. The North Augusta High School product had suffered a rough foul to earn the PK that he then guided with his left foot into the lower left corner past the diving Revs keeper.

Another North Augusta High School product, Caree Collier was next on the scoresheet collecting a long pass before outpacing the Revs defense to finish with a driven shot back post in the 15^th minute. Time after time, Collier was sprung into the attack by a ball behind the Revs backline. After a few close calls, Collier nets another goal after running down a long through ball as he pulls the ball back off the goal line at the edge of the goal box to then squeeze the ball into the nets for the commanding 3-0 lead. With the brace Collier now has five goals in his first two UPSL matches to open his spring 2025 campaign.

The Revs found a half chance on a ball forced forward late in the first half and Dailin Allen looped the ball with the outside of his boot deftly into the open net catching the Augusta keeper in-between the tackle and the save.

With the score sitting at 3-1 to Augusta’s favor the second half was more of the same physical challenges, fouls, and cautions in both directions. A big save in the 70^th minute from the Augusta keeper preserved the score line until the 90^th minute when Augusta added a fourth goal. Collier made a short pass to an onrushing Brandon Diaz who measured the bouncing ball and then ripped a shot from the top of the box into the back-post side netting. 4-1 was the final score.

“The performance today came from the practice during the week,” said Augusta forward Caree Collier after the game. “The preparation was there and we just played hard, gave it our all, and stayed focused on the game. That’s the best part, it’s a new club and it’s exciting just everyday being here with every one of these guys. It’s great.”

Augusta now moves to the top of the UPSL Georgia South Division 1 table and is on the road next weekend at Silverbacks Park playing at FC Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM.