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JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State soccer team bounced back from a tough season-opening loss at Middle Tennessee State with a 3-1 win over Georgia Southern in the home debut at the JSU Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Gamecocks, who fell 1-0 to MTSU on the road on Friday, gained a split on the opening weekend with the winning result on Sunday over the Eagles, who dropped to 0-2 on the early season.  In just the third meeting between the two schools on the pitch, Jax State now leads the series 2-0-1 and has won back-to-back matches against GSU after posting a win in 2000.

After being limited to just five shot in the opener in Murfreesboro, JSU posted 14 total shots, while the Eagles held a plus-three advantage in shots with 17 on a day that saw intermittent showers before and throughout the contest.

JSU struck for its first goal after a deep ball that was sent into the Eagles' box and played by senior Nicola Dominikovich in front of the goal.  The Calgary, Alberta, Canada-native squeezed a shot through the keepers legs for the first Jax State goal of the season, 14 minutes deep in to the match.

The Gamecocks added a much-needed second goal in the first 45 minutes and it came from freshman Nadia Plawiuk with just under 15 minutes left in the opening half.  Plawiuk was set for the scoring chance by fellow freshman Emma Meadows.  Plawiuk was the second Canadian to score for JSU as the Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada newcomer dribbled past the GSU defense and sent the ball into the back of the net.

The Eagles sliced the 2-0 deficit in half seven minutes deep into the second half after Alana McShane headed a corner kick off the foot of Angelica Wallerstedt for the lone goal of the afternoon for GSU.  The Eagles were in attack mode throughout the second half with 12 o7 the 17 shots coming in the final 45 minutes.

Jax State added an insurance goal two minutes after GSU put a goal on the scoreboard as the Brandon, Mississippi native was able to get past the Eagles' backline and take an assist from senior Carsen Taylor for the third goal of the day and her fourth goal of her career.  Thompson led all Gamecocks with six total shots.

Junior Caroline Robinson turned in another solid effort in goal with nine saves.

The Gamecocks will begin a three-match road trip, beginning with a pair of matches in Troy, Alabama next weekend against in-state rivals South Alabama and Troy.  JSU will face the Jaguars of USA at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 26 before taking on Troy on Sunday, August 28.  JSU and Troy will get started at 3 p.m. on Sunday.