JACKSONVILLE — Jax State soccer fell in its Conference USA home opener on Thursday evening, 1-0, to the Missouri State Bears at the Jax State Soccer Complex.

The Bears earn their first CUSA victory and improve to 1-0-1 in CUSA play and 4-5-2 overall, while Jax State falls to 0-2-0 in CUSA play and 6-4-2 overall.

Both sides were locked into a defensive battle in the first 45 minutes of action, as both sides put up four shots each. Both goalkeepers were kept busy in the first half, with Ella Holmberg collecting two saves and the Missouri State goalie earning three saves. MO State also put up more fouls than Jax State, with six in the first half to Jax State's five.

In the 50th minute of action, MO State's Emma Shields banked her second goal of the season off of a cross from Julia Kristensen from the left side of the box, to put up the game's only score.

Jax State would end with four shots on goal to MO State's five, and the Bears would slightly out shoot the Gamecocks, 11-9. Both goalkeepers ended with four saves apiece, and the Gamecocks put up one more foul than the Bears did at 13-12.

The Gamecocks will remain home to take on the Florida International Panthers on Sunday at noon from the Jax State Soccer Complex. The game will also be broadcast on ESPN+.