Box Score JACKSONVILLE – Senior
Jackie Rush's name will appear in another category in the Jacksonville State soccer record book as she recorded a hat trick to lead the Gamecocks past Eastern Illinois, 3-1,on Sunday at the JSU Soccer Field.
The win leveled Jax State's overall mark at 7-7 and improved to 3-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The loss drops EIU to 2-10-2 overall and 1-4-1 in the league. The Panthers were playing their second match in as many days as the Friday contest at Tennessee Tech was moved to Saturday due to inclement weather.
All of the scoring came in the first 45 minutes as the Gamecocks rushed out to the 3-0 advantage in the first 32 minutes of the contest. Rush tallied the first two goals within an eight-minute span with the initial goal coming ten minutes deep in to the half. The Trophy Club, Texas-native headed a high post shot past EIU's Emily Hinton to put the Gamecocks on the scoreboard.
After receiving a free kick deep in EIU territory from
Courtney Hurt, junior
Kelsey Bright flicked the ball to Rush on the right side of the net for the result. The final JSU goal came in the 32
nd minute as Rush carded her hat trick with another header into the back of the net. Rush turned in a match-high eight shots, including six on goal. Senior
Lindsey Jackson finished with four shots, while Hurt and Bright were credited with three shots.
The last time a Jax State individual finished with a hat trick was Lindsay Boehmler on Sept. 23, 2008 against Alabama State. The hat trick is the first in since joining the OVC and the sixth hat trick of the season in the league. UT Martin's Rianna Jarrett recorded one last Friday versus Eastern Kentucky.
The Gamecocks had a 13-shot advantage over the Panthers as they tallied 23 total shots on the afternoon. JSU registered 15 of its final mark in the first half, while EIU had five shots in each period.
EIU avoided the shutout with a netted ball in the 38
th minute. Madison Carter took advantage of an open net after a rebound shot from Lauren Hoppensteadt.
JSU returns to action next Friday with a trip to Clarksville, Tennessee to battle the Lady Govs of Austin Peay. The Gamecocks return home on Sunday, Oct. 19, hosting Belmont. Match time is set for 1 p.m.
