COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech netted a goal in each half to down Jacksonville State, 2-0, in the Ohio Valley Conference opener on Friday night at the Tech Soccer Complex.

The Gamecocks' dropped to 2-5-2 overall, while the Golden Eagles pushed their mark to 5-3 on the season.  JSU will be idle until Sunday, September 23 when it welcomes the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri to the JSU Soccer Field for the OVC home opener.  Match time is set for 1 p.m.  Admission is free.

TTU posted each goal just before the 10-minute mark of each period and finished with 12 total shots.  JSU turned in eight shots in the setback, led by freshman Ali Thomas' three attempts.  Junior Nadia Plawiuk and redshirt freshman Abigail Martinez joined Thomas off the bench to have two shots each.  Senior Madison Carruthers added a shot.

Tech's first half goal came off a set piece from a corner kick in the 35th minute as Molly Kafader timed her jump from the corner to send it in the net.  Rachel Blow handled the corner kick for the Golden Eagles. 

In the second half, Tech's insurance goal came in the 79th minute off the foot of Nora Vicsek as she completed a give-and-go situation with a finishing shot to the lower left of the goal.  TTU's Chloe Smith was credited with the assist.

Jax State had three opportunities in the final six minutes to get on the scoreboard, but could not find the net. 

JSU's Morgan Lerch collected saves, while Tech's Kari Naerdemann had one save in a shutout outing.