JACKSONVILLE, Ala.- After a scoreless first half, Jacksonville State added two second half goals to defeat the Gardner-Webb women's soccer team 2-1 in a non-conference match on Sunday afternoon.
"Another tough loss on the weekend. We started tentatively and didn't really start to show what we were capable of until conceding a second goal." remarked Mike Varga. "We made a lot of fixable mistakes and will continue to get better".
Justine Ibarra and Shelby Hooe each had three shots to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs, but overall for the match, Jacksonville State outshot out Gardner-Webb 14-10 including 10-6 in the second half of play.
Gardner-Webb managed nine corners on the afternoon but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got out of the gates quickly generating four corner kicks in the first 16 minutes of the first half, but Caroline Robinson saved all three shots that were fired at her in the opening period.
Carsen Taylor put a shot on frame just before half in the 43rd minute but Keely Brown made a nice save that resulted in a corner kick for the Gamecocks. Mackenzie Bellows took the ensuring free kick for JSU, but no one was able to get a head on the ball, as both teams headed into the halftime break tied at zero.
Jacksonville State came out of the halftime break on the offensive attack and the Runnin' Bulldogs fouled JSU in the eighteen yard box resulting in a penalty kick opportunity.
Olivia Drapes was selected to take the PK for Jacksonville State, and her kick was successful, giving JSU a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
Gardner-Webb had an opportunity to tie the game at one in the 55th minute when Hooe shot the ball on net, but Robinson once again made the save.
Just over three minutes later, Kelsey Bright dribbled the ball down the left hand side of the field and crossed the ball into the box. Claire Petersen was on the receiving end of the cross and deflected it into the goal to put Jacksonville State up 2-0.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would cut the lead in half with their first goal of the season in the 73rd minute. Jessica Ferguson crossed the ball into the box to Hooe, who shot it past Robinson for her first goal of the season.
GWU mustered up three shots and two corner kicks over the final 15 minutes of regulation, but were unable to tie the game at two, as Jacksonville State held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will host Wofford for the first of two straight home matches on Friday (Aug. 28) at 7:00 p.m., which will be followed by a non-conference match on Sunday (Aug. 30) against USC Upstate.
