VALDOSTA, Ga. -- Polk State College Soccer made a strong statement to open the 2022 season on Monday night. The Eagles took down reigning Georgia state champion RV South Georgia State College 3-0 on the campus of Valdosta State University.

The Eagles dictated possession throughout the match, holding the advantage in shots 27-4, shots on frame 9-1, and corner kicks 10-0.

"I was extremely encouraged with this team tonight," shared third-year Head Coach Jess Belli. "Tactically, they did everything asked of them."

Polk State found the back of the net for the first time in 2022 in the 36th minute, when the reigning Region 8 Freshman of the Year Raisa Lugo served up a corner kick that was headed into the back of the net by freshman defender Sara Estrada. The goal was Estrada's first of her collegiate career.

Despite keeping the ball on the Hawks' side of the pitch for the majority of the first half, the Eagles took a narrow 1-0 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Polk State doubled its lead to 2-0 in the 67th minute when Lugo played a through ball to sophomore forward Jillian Johnson that she was able to bury into the net.

The Eagles iced the match in the 85th minute, when another freshman scored her first collegiate tally. One on one with the South Georgia keeper, Marcella Koasne was able to slot the ball past the last line of defense to close things out for Polk State (1-0).

"The girls brought an individual confidence and work rate that I was really proud of them for," Belli added.

Polk State is now 3-0 in openers under Belli. The Eagles look to go 2-0 on the season-opening road trip as they take on No. 20 Motlow State Community College on Tuesday. The contest in Cochran, Ga. begins at 7 p.m.