CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Jacksonville State soccer team overcame a first half deficit with a pair of goals within a four-minute span in the second half to top The Citadel, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon in the final match of the Nike Challenge in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Gamecocks wrap up the non-conference portion of the season at 3-5-1 after splitting the weekend trip to the Palmetto State.  JSU dropped a tough 1-0 setback to Charleston Southern on Friday.  The Bulldogs went 0-2 in the weekend challenge after a loss to Vermont on Friday.  The Citadel fell to 3-4 on the season.

The Sunday come-from-behind win propels Jax State in to Ohio Valley Conference play with momentum as conference competition starts next weekend with trips to Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky.

Trailing 1-0 after The Citadel tallied the first goal of the afternoon in the 29^th minute and limited to just four shots in the opening half, JSU's offense ignited in the second half with 19 of its 23 total shots in the second half.  The Gamecocks equalized in the 59^th minute as senior Justine took a rebound off of a Jax State shot and drilled it past The Citadel keeper.  Sophomore Madison Carruthers was credited with starting the scoring opportunity.

JSU quickly responded with the eventual game-winner in the 62^nd minute.  Sophomore Claire Petersen collected her first goal of the season after a feed from senior Carsen Taylor. Freshman Danielle Monroe led the second half surge with six total shots, including three on goal chances.  Carruthers finished with four opportunities, while Taylor, Mackenzie Bellows, Kayla Thompson and Petersen each tacked on two shots.

The Gamecock defense held the Bulldogs to just one shot in the second half as it came in the final moments before the match reached full time.  The Citadel had 10 shots in the opening half, including Samara Nche's goal in the opening 45 minutes. Nche received the ball from a throw in and got past a JSU defender to put the ball in the left corner of the net for the scoring play.   

JSU keeper Caroline Robinson had a solid afternoon with four big saves.  Logan Leask of The Citadel staved off 10 JSU shots for the match with nine of those in the second half.

The JSU and Tennessee Tech OVC opener is set for Friday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. on the TTU campus.

For more information on the JSU soccer team, follow the Gamecocks on Twitter (@JSUSoccer). For more on all Gamecocks sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of JSU Athletics on Twitter (@JSUGamecocks), Facebook (Facebook.com/JSUGamecocks), Instagram (@JSUGamecocks) and Snapchat (@JSUGamecocks).