Gwinnett Daily Post

Photo: Karl L. Moore Georgia Gwinnett College's David Burke, left, and Bob Jones' Joel Cave battle for the header during Saturday's game at GGC.

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Berkmar grad Martin Lugo stuck a goal home 15 minutes into the game Saturday, and Jose Figueroa added a score later in the half to lead the Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team past Bob Jones University 2-0.

Lugo collected a loose ball headed in his direction from midfield. After a move to get around a Bruin defender, he put a shot to the right of Bob Jones goalkeeper Jon Sandy for a 1-0 lead at the 30:19 mark.

"I thought we started off a little lethargic," Lugo said. "But we won that goal kick, and I was able to put it in."

About a minute later, GGC goalkeeper Greg Hartley made a mistake that almost cost the Grizzlies (4-0-1) the lead. The senior came way off his line to play the ball, but the Bruins (2-2) were able to control it. A 20-yard shot by Jordan Allen on an empty net went inches wide right, keeping the score 1-0 Grizzlies.

It was a rare mental lapse by Hartley, but it didn't affect his play the rest of the day.

"(Hartley) handled their crosses, their direct play quite easily," GGC coach Steve DeCou said. "That's actually what made things a little more calm. You know when he's in the back, and they're just pinging balls in, you feel more comfortable. Yeah, he had the one mistake. But that's one out of five games, and that's OK."

Figueroa added GGC's second goal later in the first half. After the Grizzlies won a corner, David Burke sent in a corner and Figueroa headed it in from the far post for a 2-0 lead with 7:05 to go before halftime.

The Grizzlies came out in the second half and got a few chances, but none were able to breach the goal. Andres Molano and Alejandro Duque hit shots off the crossbar, and strikes by Lugo and Duluth grad Edwin Romero hit the posts.

DeCou thought his team could've put in more effort but was pleased to leave the pitch with a victory.

"Glad we won. Thought we did well, but we were a bit lethargic," DeCou said. "Not good enough. ... As we look to move forward, we can't play this way. I know they can do a better job. We just had an off day, and that's going to happen.

"When you can win playing poorly, that's a good thing. And I know we can do better."