The Alabama State women's soccer team fell into a two-goal deficit early and had to play catch up throughout in a 3-0 defeat to Jacksonville State in a nonconference match Sunday afternoon at the ASU Soccer Complex. 
 
In the ninth minute, the Gamecocks (4-4) were able to take advantage of a set piece from about 30 yards out when Brianna Salverda found junior forward Kelsey Bright in the box.  Bright lofted it over senior goalkeeper Kylee Hathaway's head and into the top right corner of the goal. 

The Gamecocks struck again in the 13^th minute when Jackie Rush scored unassisted in a one-on-one situation just in front of the net. 
 
ASU attempted to cut into the lead when sophomore forward Aaliyah Lewis took a shot from straightaway that was saved in the 32th minute. 

On the defensive side, Alexandria Cannon was able to spoil a couple of Gamecocks' threats by kicking it away. 
 
Jacksonville State held a 13-1 shot advantage and 7-1 shots on goal advantage in the first half.  Hathaway made five saves in the opening 45 minutes. 
 
The Lady Hornets (3-5) showed improvement in the second half when the team began to get their legs underneath them. 

The Gamecocks' shots advantage wasn't nearly as pronounced in the second half as it outshot the Lady Hornets 7-4 on shots and matched Jacksonville State in goals on shot with two apiece.  
 
Shelbi Vienna-Hallam and Cannon demonstrated some strong defensive hustle at times along the back line. Cannon broke up a crossing pass that was attempted by Lindsey Jackson, who was looking for Rush in front of the goal in the 60^th minute. 

Vienna-Hallam continued to be a nuisance for the Gamecocks' offense as well with several key stops. 
 
Mackenzie Bellows was afforded a penalty kick after Lady Hornets' goalkeeper Zaria Maynard charged out of the net and collided with her with about 21 minutes remaining in the match.

Bellows made good to push the lead to 3-0.     
 
In the 73^rd minute, Lewis deked a defender and took a shot on goal, but it went wide of the post. 
 
In the 77^th minute, Jackson also tried to pass into the middle of the field, but Vienna-Hallam was there to break it up. 
 
Maynard made one save and allowed one goal in 45 minutes of action. 

Lewis took a team-high three shots while Cannon and Alena Salsberg each took a shot as well. 
 
ASU will be back in action Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. to take on Alabama in Tuscaloosa. 
 
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