JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State soccer team tuned up for the 2015 season with its second exhibition of the weekend on Sunday with a 1-0 setback to South Alabama at the JSU Soccer Field.

After a solid performance on Friday night on the road at UAB, the Gamecocks started the match with the in-state foe in the same fashion as both teams played to a scoreless draw for the first half, even though the Jaguars, the favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference after winning the league crown last season, posted 12 of their 30 shots in the first half.  JSU's defense, in particular goalkeeper Caroline Robinson staved off many USA threats throughout the friendly competition.  Robinson, a sophomore from Hendersonville, Tenn., finished the match with 16 saves. 

The Jaguars posted the game-winning goal in the 84^th minute as Robinson deflected a shot and it carried to the right side for Ashlynn Jones knocked in in from inside the box. 
USA limited the Gamecocks to five shots with four of the five coming in the second half.  Freshman Mafison Carruthers led Jax State with two shots.  Junior Mackenzie Bellows, senior Kelsey Bright and junior Abbey Clausen recorded shots in the setback.

The Gamecocks open the 20^th season of soccer at JSU on Friday, August 21 against Ball State.  Match time is set for 7 p.m. at the JSU Soccer Field.  JSU will close out the opening weekend of the season on Sunday, August 23 versus Gardener-Webb.  Admission is free to all JSU soccer matches.