JACKSONVILLE – For the first time this season, the Jacksonville State soccer team suffered a loss on the home pitch as Tennessee Tech edged out a 1-0 decision on Sunday at the JSU Soccer Field.

Coming in to the Ohio Valley Conference home opener, JSU was 2-0-1 after its three non-conference outings at home.  The Gamecocks dropped to 3-5-2 overall and 0-2 in OVC play after falling at UT Martin on Friday night.  Tech, who also fell in the conference opener on Friday at Southeast Missouri, rebounded with the result and moved to 6-3-1 on the season and gained a split on the first weekend of league play.

In a physical contest that featured 24 combined fouls, the Golden Eagles recorded the game-winning goal in the 52^nd minute.  Tech's Kendall Powell headed a soft ball over JSU's Caroline Robinson's head for the goal after taking a serve from Tina Marolt.  Powell's shot was one of seven for Tech in the second half as the Purple and Gold finished the contest with a 10-9 advantage in total shots.

JSU had a balanced scoring attack with five opportunities in the opening 45 minutes and four in the second half.  Sophomore Rachel Blanding nearly had half of Jax State's shots with four, including a pair of on goal strikes.  TTU's Kari Naedemann posted a clean worksheet with four saves.

Robinson finished with three saves on the afternoon.

The Gamecocks, who were on the road for five consecutive matches prior to Sunday's action at home, will be idle until Sunday, September 24 as they face Murray State.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.  JSU will offer free ice cream to the fans attending the matinee match.  Admission to all JSU soccer matches is free.