JACKSONVILLE – For the second consecutive outing, an early goal by the opposition was enough to fend off a Jacksonville State comeback as Liberty tallied a 1-0 win on Thursday night at the JSU Soccer Field.

The Flames (6-3-2, 2-0-1 ASUN) ignited the offense quickly after the opening touch as the eventual game winner came two minutes into the contest. LU's Rachel DeRuby found the top right corner of the net for the goal that was assisted by Grace Spade and Ivy Garner.

The Jax State (2-8, 0-2 ASUN) defense was solid the rest of the way as it thwarted an offensive onslaught from LU with 15 shots in the first half with the Flames controlling the possession. The Gamecocks were held to one shot in the opening 45 minutes.

JSU flipped the offensive switch in the second half with seven in the final 45 minutes, including a pair of looks late in the contest, narrowing missing the equalizing goal. LU, who finished with 22 total shots, was held to seven in the second half.

"I didn't think we played very well in the first half and in the second half, we gathered ourselves and competed well," said head coach Neil Macdonald. "The second half was really good and we were very unlucky to get a goal. If you want to be successful at this level, you have to compete for 90 minutes and not 45 minutes."

Senior Cynthia Bagozzi led the offensive charge for the Gamecocks with four shots, while senior Kimberly McPhearson gave JSU a lift off the bench with two shots in the setback. Senior Briana Eads and sophomore Laleh Lonteen registered shots on the night.

LU's Halle Engle matched Bagozzi's match-high four shots for the Flames.

Freshman goalkeeper Bailey Dean collected a season-best seven saves in her second conference game under her belt.

"I think we have played two of the stringer teams and we have shown that when we are switched on and focused and play with one another, we are a difficult team to play against and that is who we have to be," added Macdonald.

Jax State will wrap up the five-match homestand  on Sunday as it welcomes ASUN newcomer Queens (N.C.) to campus. Admission is free to all JSU home soccer matches. Following Sunday's match with Queens (N.C.), the Gamecocks will have an autograph session after the conclusion of the match. The 2022 schedule poster will be available to get signatures. Sunday's match is set for 1 p.m. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Royals enter the weekend looking for their first win of the season after recording a 1-1 draw with Kennesaw State on Thursday.