The Georgia women’s soccer team escaped from a tough Southeastern Conference road trip with a tie and a loss after two grueling games decided by overtime.

Friday night, the Bulldogs (2-7-1, 0-1-1 in the SEC) lost a tough one to the No. 16 Florida Gators by a score of 2-1, and Sunday’s hard-fought affair with South Carolina ended 1-1.

The Bulldogs played one of their better games of the season against the Gators. The score was 1-1 when regulation time came to a close, but Florida nailed Georgia’s coffin shut with the game-winning golden goal 4:06 into overtime.

Despite ending up on the wrong end of the result, the Bulldogs’ play and effort was praiseworthy.

“I felt we played some of our best soccer . and showed a great competitive mentality,” senior defender Kristin Garman said. “At times, we could have showed a little more composure on the ball, but overall I think we played really well and will only build from here.”

Freshman midfielder Jamie Pollock scored the Bulldogs’ lone goal on a 25-yard free kick.

Friday’s game also featured the return of All-SEC sophomore defender Kelli Corless. Corless marked her season debut after serving a suspension for the first eight games of the season.

Garman said Corless’ return provided the Bulldog squad with “great energy” against the Gators.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Sunday’s trip to Columbia, S.C. yielded better results for Georgia.

The Bulldogs started the game well, and junior forward Carrie Patterson scored in the 39th minute to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. The goal was Patterson’s third of the season.

However, the Bulldogs could not hold on to the advantage as South Carolina scored in the 73rd minute and the game evenually went to overtime tied 1-all.

South Carolina came out firing on all cylinders in overtime but junior goalkeeper Michelle Betos denied all four attempts.