UGA and Georgia Tech Both Ready for Georgia Southern
UGA and Georgia Tech Both Ready for Georgia Southern
After a 78-5 win against Emory, Georgia Tech went into the battle against UGA searching for another positive outcome, but fell short.
UGA took advantage of Tech’s lack of subs and exhausted the Yellow Jacket ruggers to the 80th minute. UGA walked away with the 36-17 win, but Georgia Tech is already looking toward their next game. Both UGA and Tech have Georgia Southern scheduled in the upcoming weeks, and both teams are already strategizing.
Tech All-American and insider center Chi Chi Chukwueke was a particular concern for UGA coach Rebecca Martin and for good reason. Chukwueke and flyhalf Taylor Armstead were able to exchange tries with UGA flanker Hafia Mkumba, outside center Alex Taylor, prop Shanice Bond, lock Rae Ann Saulnier, and prop Nakia Lee. Tech fullback Sarah Ziolante and UGA fullback Aleia Bellcross converted.
During the next few practices, Tech will be working on its fitness. With a team lower in numbers than its opponents, this will be a “must have.” Armstead said the Yellow Jackets will also be focusing on fundamentals so the rookies will be on board with Tech’s style of play.
“We feel positive going into the next game,” Armstead said. “UGA has built up their team and beat us on game skills. We’re going to focus on ball possession and the basics.”
“Georgia Tech has an exceptionally coached team,” Martin said. “We did enough right to pull out a win against a very good team.”
The UGA 9-10-12 connection was a significant asset during game play. Yet, Martin pointed out locks Anna Friday and Saulnier as the “pistons” of the team while prop Nakia Lee is the fire. The intense pressure that UGA laid on Tech didn’t seem to stop, and with the bruisers that Georgia Southern houses, that intensity will be a necessity.
“We are constantly overcompensating for lack of size,” Martin said. However, she doesn’t seem concerned with her team’s abilities in its upcoming game.
Although the team is known to hold strong runners, Georgia Southern has lost both of its games this season with a 46-5 loss to Clemson as well as a 84-0 loss to Emory. UGA will face Georgia Southern on February 20 and Tech will see them on February 27.
