JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State freshman Cynthia Bagozzi turned in two goals to lead the Gamecocks past Murray State on Friday, knocking off the Racers, 3-2, in the final home outing of the season.

The win snapped a lengthy losing skid for JSU and it was the first conference victory of the season.  JSU will head into the final two matches of the season next weekend with a 4-12 overall mark and 1-7 in OVC play.  MSU, who entered the contest in second place in the league standings, dropped to 8-7 on the season and a 5-2 against OVC foes.  The win also marked the first over the Racers since the 2007 campaign.

Bagozzi, from Orlando, Florida, tallied her first of two on the night in the 29th minute to break up a 1-1 deadlock and issued the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute.  The forward pushed her season total to seven goals.  Junior Auset Gibbs helped her on the first goal, while senior Cheyenne Carden was credited with the assist on the final goal. 
After the Racers struck first with a goal in the first six minutes, JSU answered with an equalizing goal by sophomore Reilly Kucko.  It was her second goal of the season.

"They are an unbelievable group because every game they come out and compete after dealing with so much adversity and to play so well against one of the top teams in the conference for the past five years, the attitude and mentality was right tonight," said head coach Neil Macdonald.  "The work rate from the back four to the midfield helps Bagozzi out so much, because she touches every blade of grass.  She is tireless and since we have put her at the center forward spot, she has changed the way we attack."

After taking a 2-1 lead into the halftime break, the Racers had a turn at an equalizing goal and connected off the foot of Lauren Payne in the 67th minute.  MSU had seven shots in each 45-minute period and eight total corner kick chances.

"I think out backline, led by Alicia Pallister was fantastic against a potent offensive.  She kept it organized and she kept the ball when we needed it.  You also have to give Morgan (Lerch) a lot of credit tonight for a really good game," added Macdonald.

Lerch finished with four stops on the night in 90 minutes of action.

The win sends the seven departing seniors out on a high note from the JSU Soccer Field as they competed on the home pitch for the final time.

The Gamecocks will be idle on Sunday and will turn their attention to the final weekend of the regular season on the road.  JSU will face OVC leader Southeast Missouri on Friday, Oct. 25 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri before closing out the trip against UT Martin on Sunday, Oct. 27.