JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State soccer team opened the 2021 home schedule in solid fashion with a 2-0 win over Jackson State on Sunday afternoon at the JSU Soccer Field.
The Gamecocks bounced backed from a tough setback Thursday in the season opener at Alabama, while the Lady Tigers dropped their second in a row.
Jax State went on the attack from the opening kick with 19 total shots in the contest and limiting the Lady Tigers to six total attempts – three in each half.
"I was very pleased with the performance and I though we were solid defensively," said head coach
Neil Macdonald. They were a different and awkward team to play against and I thought we kept our discipline and kept our shape. We obviously grabbed the goals when we needed them."
The first goal of the contest came off the foot of junior
Ali Thomas, who had a break-away attempt after a ball served up by freshman
Katie Moore. Thomas was able to put the ball in the right corner of the net in the fifth minute of the contest to give Jax State a lead to work with. Thomas led the Gamecocks with four shot opportunities.
Nursing a 1-0 lead, the Gamecocks added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute with
Nyeemah Prescod-Beckles came off the bench to connect on her first goal as a Gamecock. She finished with three shots in 32 minutes of action.
"Ali (Thomas) always deserves to get a goal because of her work ethic. She is just ready to pounce on anything and she closes on the ball really well. I thought Nyeemah (Prescod-Beckles) had a really good goal. She really looks like a different kid from last year and she is really confident and you can tell that she has the ability, added Macdonald."
Sophomore
Briana Eads recorded three shot attempts, while freshman Anna Catherine Mikkelsen added three shots. Freshman Kylie wells finished with a pair of scoring chances.
The Gamecocks continue competition against Southwestern Athletic Conference clubs next weekend against Alabama State and Alabama A&M. Jax State will travel to Montgomery, Alabama on Friday for a 6 p.m. duel with the Hornets on the ASU campus. The Gamecocks will return to the JSU Soccer Field next Sunday, hosting the Bulldogs of AAMU. Opening kick is set for 1 p.m. with admission free to all JSU home soccer matches.
For more information on the JSU soccer team, follow the Gamecocks on Twitter (@JSUGamecocksSOC). For more on all Gamecocks sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of JSU Athletics on Twitter (@JSUGamecocks), Facebook (Facebook.com/JSUGamecocks), Instagram (@JSUGamecocks) and Snapchat (@JSUGamecocks).
