JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State put a wrap on the non-conference schedule by sweeping the final weekend before ASUN action with a 3-2 win over in-state nemesis Troy on Sunday afternoon at the JSU Soccer Field.

The Gamecocks opened the weekend with a 4-1 win over Alabama State that was highlighted by senior Cynthia Bagozzi's hat trick on Friday evening. JSU improved to 2-6 on the season, while the Trojans dropped to 2-3-1 overall.

After Friday's offense was provided by veteran players like Bagozzi and junior Kylie Wells, on Sunday it was a pair of new faces to the program that sparked the Gamecocks to the 11th all-time win over Troy. Transfer Vanessa Mejia tallied a pair of goals, while freshman Camryn Davis notched her first goal on the collegiate level. Mejia, who joined JSU from national powerhouse Santa Clara prior to the season, recorded JSU's equalizing goal in the 20th minute after the Trojans struck first in the 14th minute. Her first goal came off a corner kick situation as sophomore Allessandra Romano placed the ball in front of the net for Mejia. Mejia led JSU with four total shots, while Bagozzi was looking for her fourth goal of the weekend on a pair of shots.

Davis, a local product from Gadsden, Alabama, quickly gave Jax state the lead that it would not relinquish, after sophomore Laleh Lonteen dished out her second assist of the weekend to Davis in the 22nd minute. Mejia recorded her second goal of the day in the 73rd minute.

"She (Vanessa Mejia) has really come into her own over these last two weeks and she has done really well to anticipate the ball dropping in the box and she was first to it, so all credit to her for taking those opportunities," said head coach Neil Macdonald.

Both clubs combined for 29 shots on the day with Troy holding an 18-11 advantage, including 13 of the 18 in the second half. The Gamecocks were able to hold off a Trojan comeback with solid goalkeeping play from freshman Bailey Dean, who had four of her six stops in the final 45 minutes. JSU had five looks at goal in the opening half and six in the second half.

"We had a 15–20-minute spell in the second half where we were really behind and she came up huge again. She (Bailey Dean) has done remarkably well to be coming in as a freshman and thrown off into the deep end. She was outstanding again today," added Macdonald.

Jax State will carry a large amount of confidence and momentum into the ASUN schedule that begins next Sunday at home against Kennesaw State. JSU will have a great chance of starting league play off on the right foot with the first three ASUN matches at home at the JSU Soccer Field.
"We have talked about how many newcomers we have on the team and they are now realizing the importance of paying attention to details, knowing the scout and understanding what is going on tactically," added Macdonald. "I think this weekend, we have gone out and followed the game plan and executed the game plan. We have to take that into conference games because when you do those things as a group, you can be incredibly successful."

Following the outing with the Owls, the Gamecocks will welcome Liberty to campus for the first time on Thursday, September 22 and wrap up the five-match homestand with ASUN newcomer Queens (N.C.) on Sunday, September 25.

"I always think playing at home is an advantage and I think the girls playing on their home patch of grass. I think having family and fans at the game, lifts the atmosphere level and it is a big plus to playing at home."

Sunday's ASUN opener with KSU is set for 1 p.m. Admission is free to all JSU home soccer matches.