Soccer in Sanford: A Record Night Through the Lens

The University of Georgia brought women’s soccer to Sanford Stadium for the first time on Aug. 20, connecting the current Bulldogs with one of the landmarks of American soccer history. Thirty years earlier, the United States women’s national team won Olympic gold on the same field during the 1996 Atlanta Games. A crowd of 25,433 watched Georgia defeat James Madison 6-0, setting a new NCAA Division I attendance record for a men’s or women’s soccer match. The night also reflected soccer’s growing place within Georgia’s sporting culture.

UGA’s Spike Squad takes its customary place near the front of the Sanford Stadium crowd for Soccer in Sanford. Club members bring the same energy and spirit they provide at other Georgia sporting events. Here, members react as the Redcoat Marching Band passes before the match.

The Dance Dawgs, a familiar part of Georgia football Saturdays, joined the support surrounding Soccer in Sanford. Along with the UGA cheer team, the Dance Dawgs performed throughout the night as Sanford Stadium took on a different sporting identity.

Georgia wore special Soccer in Sanford warm-up jerseys for the program’s first match at Sanford Stadium. The venue, best known as the home of Georgia football, became a soccer stadium for a night honoring the 30th anniversary of the United States women’s national team winning Olympic gold on the same field in 1996.

Young players from Athens United Soccer Association served as match mascots for Georgia against James Madison. The girls ran off the field smiling following the Bulldogs’ lineup introductions, while other Athens United players watched the match from the stands.

Fans fill the Sanford Stadium stands before kickoff against James Madison. The record crowd brought together Georgia supporters experiencing soccer for the first time and soccer fans seeing the Bulldogs for the first time.

Senior midfielder Gabbi Ceballos carries the ball toward the James Madison goal. The San Antonio, Texas, native helped Georgia push forward during a dominant night for the Bulldogs.

Georgia earned a penalty in the eighth minute after a James Madison foul inside the box. Sofia DeCerb saved Sage Glover’s penalty kick, but Mya Townes collected the loose ball and scored to give Georgia a 1-0 lead.

Forward Emma Pettersen rises to head the ball during the first half against James Madison.

Forward Hailey Gordon races after the ball in the James Madison half with the Sanford Stadium crowd behind her.

Forward Mya Townes tries to escape a challenge from James Madison defender Soleil Flores during the first half.

Georgia and James Madison players compete on Dooley Field with the Sanford Stadium stands rising behind them during Soccer in Sanford.

In the Sanford Stadium stands there is a clear divide between UGA students and other fans. Georgia students stand together throughout the match, carrying a familiar Sanford Stadium tradition from football Saturdays into the Bulldogs’ first soccer match at the venue.

Georgia players celebrate after midfielder Ava Stack scores the Bulldogs’ third goal of the night. The goal gave Georgia a 3-0 lead before halftime.

Fans fill the lower bowl of Sanford Stadium as the stadium video boards display the Soccer in Sanford branding.

Georgia works the ball upfield during the second half as the Bulldogs continue to control the match against James Madison.

Honoka Hamano heads home Georgia’s fourth goal of the night in the 71st minute, scoring from a Grayson Rogers assist to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 4-0.

Students celebrate Georgia’s fourth goal by waving their shirts in the stands. The first 3,000 students to enter Sanford Stadium received commemorative Soccer in Sanford shirts.

Hailey Gordon directs her teammates before delivering a corner kick. Georgia later added its fifth goal through Mona Childs as the Bulldogs continued their second-half surge.

Georgia brought some familiar Sanford Stadium traditions into Soccer in Sanford, including the Redcoat Marching Band performing the Krypton Fanfare as part of the Light Up Sanford tradition. Fans illuminated the stadium with their phones and waved their lights toward the field.

Fireworks rise beyond the south side of Sanford Stadium after Georgia completed a 6-0 victory over James Madison. Many fans remained after the final whistle to watch the celebration.

Fans begin leaving Sanford Stadium while others remain for the final moments of a record-setting night. The crowd of 25,433 reflected the growing place of soccer within the sports culture of Georgia and the South.

“The electricity was in the air,” Redcoat Marching Band member Chance Salter said after the match. “Everyone was really just having fun. It was great.”

The Soccer in Sanford event honored the U.S. women's national team's Olympic history while giving a record crowd a new connection to Georgia soccer. Three days later, the Bulldogs returned to their regular home at Turner Soccer Complex and beat Milwaukee 3 to 0 on Senior Day, with Honoka Hamano scoring and freshman Maya Woolforde adding the first two goals of her college career.

Georgia now takes that momentum on the road. The No. 25 Bulldogs visit No. 15 TCU on Thursday night in Fort Worth before returning to Georgia for an in state matchup at Mercer on Sunday in Macon. Sanford Stadium provided the spectacle, but the season and the opportunity to build on it continue beyond one record breaking night.