CARROLLTON, Ga.—Jax State picked up its first win of the season with a balanced performance in the season opener at West Georgia Thursday night.
 
Three goals were scored in the final 2:02 as the Gamecocks were able to hold off a late furry from West Georgia for a 3-2 victory.
 
Jax State dominated possession, registering 19 total shots to just four by West Georgia. Additionally, the Gamecocks recorded eight corner kicks to just one by the Wolves.
 
"We really wanted to dictate things a little bit more by trying to drag our opponent apart and getting players on the ball," said coach Corey Smith who picked up the win in his debut. "I think we did that really well. The second half, we asked the team to try to get at them a little bit more."
 
The first tally of the season came off the foot of sophomore Amelia Jacobs in her Jax State debut when a ball deflected out of the midfield and raced toward the goal on the left wing and snuck it inside the near post in the 16^th minute.
 
The Gamecocks found the back of the net again in the 79^th minute when Lara Aitken served a ball from the near wing to the middle of the box where it was sent home by senior Louise Featherstone.
 
West Georgia got a goal in the 88^th minute, but Emma Reeder answered with a goal just 26 seconds later by winning a 50-50 ball just outside the box and blasting it into the back of the net. The hosts answered with a goal just 21 seconds later to get back within one, then had to hold off another charge in the final 20 seconds to preserve the win.
 
"We talked at halftime about a high energy crowd and a high energy bench from the opponent, and high intensity, so we were hoping to come out in the second half and immediately silence that and it took us a while to do that, but as soon as they scored, we found that energy to go and do that," said Smith. "I think that's ultimately what saw us through the game, was us being able to respond."
 
Fresh legs were a big factor as Jax State had 20 different players see the pitch with just 10 playing an hour or more.
 
In goal, Camdyn Magrosky made a pair of saves.
 
The Gamecocks return to action on Sunday against North Alabama in a game played at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville.