JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State soccer team wrapped the 2023 season on a sour note with a 3-0 loss to Middle Tennessee on Sunday afternoon at the Jax State Soccer Complex.

The loss eliminates the Gamecocks from postseason as they needed a win and help around Conference USA in other matches. Jax State entered the finale tied in points with Louisiana Tech as both clubs had five points going into Sunday's action. The Bulldogs claimed a win over FIU to grab three points to remain alive for one of the six spots in the 2023 CUSA Soccer Championship, hosted by LA Tech in Ruston, Louisiana in early November. Jax State concludes its first season under the guidance of Sean Fraser at 6-9-2 overall and 1-5-2 in its first season of CUSA action.

Sunday also served as Senior Day for seven Gamecocks as they were honored prior to the start of the match. The program saluted Lauren Hooten, Vanessa Mejia, Mya Fregoli, Kylie Wells, Lauren Lancaster, Aayanna Minott and Amanda Chimbima.

The Blue Raiders attempt at spoiling Senior Day was successful with an early goal from a corner kick opportunity and added a pair of insurance goals in the second half. MTSU (5-9-3, 1-5-1 CUSA) scored the first goal in the fourth minute with a goal from Manon Lebargy after Lauren Spaanstra delivered a perfect ball from the corner. MTSU was balanced in scoring chances throughout the contest with six shots in the opening 45 minutes and added seven in the second half to post a 13-8 advantage in shots over the Gamecocks. Jax State put together five chances in the opening half and were limited to three in the second half.

"I felt like we prepared pretty well and I didn't think we executed as well as we needed to and we got the best of MTSU and probably the worst of us on the day," said head coach Sean Fraser.

Fraser noted the improvement over the course of the season by winning more games and establishing the groundwork for the future in CUSA.

"We have improved significantly and for me, I'd love to see the team improve even more. I think we left a few wins on the table this year and I don't think our record reflects the performances this year and we are young. We have made a lot of errors, like today was a goal off of a corner and the second goal was off of a free kick, that is the story of our season, we have conceited many goals from dead balls and that is a characteristic of a young team, added Fraser.

Junior Laleh Lonteen led Jax State with a pair of shots while Fregoli and Mejia had shots in their final collegiate match.

MTSU's insurance goals came in the 54th and the 59th minute as Spaanstra, who had the assist in the first score of the day, turned in a goal. Kivisto Cambell finished off the scoring with her third goal of the season.