MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Jax State soccer's five-game win streak came to a halt on Sunday afternoon at Middle Tennessee as the Blue Raiders defeated the Gamecocks, 1-0, at the Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to open Conference USA play.

The Gamecocks fall to 6-3-2 on the year while MTSU improves to 6-3-2. MTSU starts 1-0-0 in CUSA play while Jax State opens at 0-1-0.

In the first half of action, neither side was able to break through to finish in a 0-0 draw. The Blue Raiders were the more aggressive team in the first half, putting up 11 shots to Jax State's five shots. Ella Holmberg did save all four of MTSU's shots on goal to hold a 4-1 advantage in saves in the first half.

The second half saw the Gamecocks come out as the aggressors, putting up 10 shots, but the Blue Raiders put the game's only score on the board by way of a penalty kick in the 56th minute. The Gamecocks had several opportunities in the second half, including a free kick just outside the box towards the end of the match after a yellow card was called on the MTSU coach, but MTSU held on to secure the conference-opening victory.

In total, Jax State outshot MTSU 15-14, with MTSU putting six on goal to Jax State's five. Holmberg ended with five saves, and Jax State had seven corner kicks to MTSU's one.

The Gamecocks will return home to host two Conference USA opponents next week. On Thursday, the Missouri State Bears will visit Jax State before FIU makes the trip up on Sunday.