JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State soccer team dropped its Conference USA opener on Sunday with a 2-0 setback to Sam Houston at the Jax State Soccer Complex.
In an all-around even match, the Gamecocks surrendered a goal right before the halftime break and the Bearkats added an insurance goal in the 63
rd minute to preserve their first win as a new member of CUSA. Jax State dropped to level (5-5) on the season while SHSU moved to 3-3-2 on the season.
SHSU's Ariana Carrington delivered the game winner moments before halftime after getting past the Gamecocks' defense for a shot into the left corner of the goal. The Bearkats' Sam Murray added the second goal in similar fashion after getting around the Jax State defense and pushing the ball into the back of the net of a deflected ball by goalkeeper
Bailey Dean.
Both teams finished equal in total shots with 13 each on the day, while SHSU posted six looks on goal. Jax State had four shots on goal that were picked off by SHSU keeper Savannah Hall.
"I am disappointed with the game. I felt like the last couple of weeks that we took some big steps forward and I felt really good going into conference play, but I don't think we executed enough in some big areas of the game," said head coach Sean Fraser.
The Gamecocks were led by sophomore
Naroa Domenech's three shots, followed by a pair of shots from junior
Ella Owen, senior
Vanessa Mejia and sophomore
Salome Kerguillec.
Jax State will hit the road for the first time in Conference USA on Thursday with a trip to Ruston, La. to face the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. The Thursday outing is set for 7 p.m. and will be available on ESPN+. Jax State returns to the home pitch next Sunday, hosting Western Kentucky. Match time is set for 1 p.m. Admission is free to all home matches.
"It will be a very tough game and a very important game for us to get back on track. We have to get over this one," added Fraser.
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