TUSCALOOSA – The Jacksonville State soccer team opened the 2017 season with a 5-1 setback to Alabama on Friday night at the Alabama Soccer Complex.

Alabama netted a pair of goals within an eight-minute span in the second half to take control of the contest.  UA broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 58^th minute with a header off of a corner kick.  UA's Kayla Mouton finished off the set piece with the header to the left corner of the net.  With momentum back on its side, UA added the second goal within the span with a goal by Emma Welch.

UA (1-0) added a pair of insurance goals late in the contest as Chatham DeProspo collecting her second goal of the night in the 86^th minute.  DeProspo opened the contest with her first goal just under two minutes.  DeProspo led her club with nine total shots.

JSU's goal came on an own goal by the Crimson Tide after a corner kick was not cleared out in the 33^rd minute.  Jax State (0-1) was limited offensively with just five total shots on the night, while UA finished with 34 total shots.  UA had 18 shots in the opening 45 minutes and turned in 16 in the second half.  JSU senior goalkeeper Caroline Robinson turned in eight saves in a solid performance in the goal.  Sophomore Rachel Blanding registered three of JSU's five shots.

The final outcome was not indicative of how JSU played for most of the half according to head coach Neil Macdonald.

"I thought we played well for the first half and had great shape and played well defensively.  I think what got us at the end was that we were tired.  Obviously having 13 players available for the game against a team that can put it around the field put us on our back foot," said Neil Macdonald.  "I thought it was a brave performance, but I didn't think we deserved to lose like we did.  Things got sloppy towards the end with two goals and that was on us."  I think it would have been a different game if we had three or four extras."

JSU had a pair of freshmen earn starts in the season opener as Alicia Pallister and Lindsay Albani were inserted in to JSU's defense.  Sophomore Mia Wilson started for the first time in her career at JSU.
"I give Alicia Pallister and Lindsay Albani a ton of credit in the first game on the back four,' added Macdonald.

The Gamecocks now turn their attention to Sunday's home opener against the Hornets of Alabama State.  Match time is set for 1 p.m. at the JSU Soccer Field.  Admission is free.

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