Box Score

JACKSONVILLE – Belmont scored the equalizing goal with 53 second left in the match and went on to claim a 2-1 overtime win over Jacksonville State on Friday evening at the JSU Soccer Field.

The loss drops JSU to 10-4-2 on the season and 3-2-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference.  The Bruins of Belmont pushed their season's mark to 6-6-1 and 2-2-1 against OVC competition.

Taylor Smith headed the match-tying goal in the 90th minute after trailing from the 53rd minute on.  Smith finished the scoring opportunity after a cross from Allie Hicks.  She finished the night with three shots, including two on goal chances.  As a team, BU turned in 25 shots with 15 on goal opportunities.

BU carried the momentum it gained in the waning seconds of the contest into the overtime session as they had five shots, including the golden goal by Kim Elmore.  Elmore, after posting a match-high seven shots, eventually connected on her final attempt in the 103rd minute to seize the contest from the Gamecocks.  Amy Jo Anderson was credited with the assist.

After a scoreless first 45 minutes, the Gamecocks broke the deadlock as Kelsey Bright carded her sixth goal of the year.  The freshman from Kingwood, Texas, took a great feed from sophomore Courtney Hurt to send the ball into the back of the net. 

JSU turned in 16 total shots and used balance with eight shots in each half.  Jax State was held without a shot in the extra time.  The Gamecocks had 11 on goal chances, but could not add an insurance goal late in the contest.

“We did a good job of staving off their shots in the first half and we executed the game plan in the second half,” said head coach Julie Davis Carlson.  “Kelsey's goal was a quality goal and we were trying to get that second goal, but we just could not put it away.  Give Belmont credit for not giving up and they took all the momentum when they scored late in regulation.”

The Gamecocks will be idle Sunday and will begin the OVC stretch run next weekend with trips to Murray State on Friday, Oct. 19 and at Austin Peay on Sunday, Oct. 21.