Sports

Alpharetta's Cochran Shines in GSU Career Soccer Debut

Goalkeeper makes 10 saves in return to action after injury.

Georgia State men’s soccer goalkeeper C.J. Cochran made 10 saves in his collegiate debut on Sunday to help the Panthers tie a top-notch UAB squad 1-1.

The redshirt freshman only allowed one goal, on a penalty kick, to a UAB team that received 68 votes in the NSCAA Coaches Top 25 poll last week. Cochran took over for junior goalkeeper Vincent Foermer, who was out with an injury. The 10 saves were the most by a GSU goalkeeper since Foermer made 10 saves in a 0-0 tie at UNC Wilmington last season.

“I was really excited for C.J.,” GSU men’s soccer head coach Brett Surrency said. “He played in an exhibition match last year but this was his first collegiate game and he played absolutely unbelievable. He kept us in the game and made some clutch saves.”

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UAB peppered the redshirt freshman with shots from all angles as several of Cochran’s saves were of the diving variety. He stayed composed despite conceding the early goal after he challenged a UAB forward and drew a yellow card for taking down the player in the box, forcing the penalty kick. He stopped the first attempt, but was flagged for coming off his line too early. GSU rallied to tie the score just less than three minutes later.

Cochran, an Alpharetta native and graduate, was also battling an injury and according to head coach Brett Surrency needed medical clearance just to play on Sunday.

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We had to get special permission from the doctor to get him cleared to play because he’s been out for three weeks,” Surrency said, “It was literally his first action of any kind even in training and you wouldn’t have known it.”

The Panthers return home for two matches this weekend. GSU hosts Florida Atlantic this Friday at 4 p.m. at Panthersville and Florida International on Sunday at noon.

Story by Randy Lieberman, graduate assistant-Sports Communications, .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Alpharetta-Milton