Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Three first half goals propelled the Jacksonville State women's soccer team to a 5-0 thumping of in-state foe Alabama A&M on Sunday at Bulldog Field in Huntsville, Ala.

JSU turned in its third consecutive win and completed the weekend sweep against the Southwestern Athletic Conference.  On Friday, JSU turned in 2-0 road win at Jackson State.  With the win, the Gamecocks moved to 3-1 on the season and the first three-match winning streak since stringing together a trio of victories in 2009.  The successful early start is the best since 2002 when Jax State started that campaign 4-1.  The last time the Red and White secured three or more road wins during a season came in 2005.

The five goals posted by JSU are the most since a lopsided 7-0 win in 2010 over Southern (La.) University.  The Gamecocks now lead the all-time series with AAMU, 3-1-0.

Senior Austen Stoelting put the Gamecocks on the board with a goal within the first four minutes of the contest.  The goal was the Terre Haute, Ind.-native's second career goal.  JSU, who took 15 of its 30 shots in the first half, put its second ball in the net off the foot of freshman Alexis Rodriguez for her first collegiate goal of her young career.  Playing in her hometown, sophomore Courtney Hurt assisted Rodriguez on the goal.

JSU added a third first-half goal as the period was winding down.  Hurt sent a solid cross in to the box and was mishandled by an AAMU defender and the ball went across the line in to the net. 

With a sizable lead starting the final half, it did not take the Gamecocks offense to re-energize out of the halftime break.  Senior Nathalee Lariviere beat two Bulldog defenders near the 47th minute to put the ball into the back of the net.  The goal was Lariviere's first of the season and eighth of her career.  Another true freshman added her name in the goals-scored column on the box score as Katt Dowd connected on her first goal of her career from 40 yards out in the 61st minute to close out the scoring for the match.

“We did a nice job of maintaining possession and we were able to play a lot of people to get more game experience,” said head coach Julie Davis Carlson.  “Our objective was obtained, but small things are still in need of polishing.  We created a lot of chances that should have been put away.”

Jax State's stifling defense allowed just four total AAMU shots with all coming in the final 45 minutes.  Senior goalkeeper Katelyn Geddings played the first half, while senior Ali Koenig saw her first action in the second half since an injury last season against South Alabama.

Offensively, with the 30 shot attempts, it was the most since JSU was credited with 35 scoring opportunities versus SU in 2010.  The Gamecocks posted 13 on-goal chances on Sunday, the most since they carded 18 a season ago against Chattanooga.

“Our confidence is building and this has been a good start for the squad,” added Carlson.

For the second-straight weekend, the Gamecocks will be travelling next weekend as they journey to Troy, Ala. to take part in the Trojan Classic.  JSU will face Stetson on Friday, Aug. 30 at Noon.  Jax State opens the month of September next Sunday with a 3 p.m. match up with Louisiana Tech.