MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Jacksonville State soccer team rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to claim a 3-2 double overtime win over Alabama State at the Montgomery Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Rachel Blanding posted her first goal of the season with the golden goal four minutes deep into the second overtime session.  The win pushed Jax State's overall record to 3-3, while ASU dropped to 1-4 on the season.  The Gamecocks bounced back from a tough and physical 2-1 setback to Troy on Thursday evening.

The Gamecocks, who surrendered a pair of goals in the first half, bounced back in the final 45 minutes to force overtime with the two equalizing goals.  Senior Emma Meadows connected on her third goal of the season in the 53rd minute after freshman Cynthia Bagozzi set the scoring play up in front of the Hornets' goal.  Bagozzi finished the weekend with a goal and an assist as she scored JSU's goal on Thursday. 

JSU controlled the second half with nine of its 13 shots coming in the second 45 minutes.  Junior Alicia Pallister, who had four shots on the afternoon, drilled the equalizing goal near the top of the box in the 76th minute.  JSU had chances in the final moments to get the win in regulation but could not finish.

After a scoreless first overtime session, Pallister set up the game-winning goal with a cross from the left side of the box to Blanding. 

"I am really disappointed in the performance today.  In the first half, we were awful and I don't know if it was a hangover from Thursday night.  We were just poor, said head coach Neil Macdonald.  "We changed some things up at halftime and it worked and got ourselves back into the game."

After three matches on the road within the state of Alabama, the Gamecocks return home for four straight matches.  JSU wraps up its non-conference portion of the schedule next weekend, beginning on Thursday night against the Crimson Tide of Alabama.  UA will visit the JSU Soccer Field for a 7 p.m. contest.  JSU concludes non-conference action next Sunday against Mercer.  Admission is free to all JSU soccer matches.

"We have a ton of things to work on but it was good to get a win like this," added Macdonald.

The Alabama and Mercer matches will be available on ESPN+.

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