JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Alabama State University women's soccer team finished off its four-game road trip against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Sunday afternoon, with the home team handing ASU a 1-0 defeat at the Jax State Soccer Complex in Northeast Alabama.
The Hornets (0-7-1) stayed in a position to at least tie thanks to its defensive unit and a group that refused to quit until the final whistle. However, a 27th-minute goal was all the Gamecocks (2-4-2) needed to snap a two-game skid, adding a second win to a now-winning home record.
Each team started the game quickly, getting shots off within the first five minutes. As both teams got comfortable, JSU's aggressiveness in both midfield action and on shooting attempts ended up being the difference in the end, as the Gamecocks spread out 18 shots evenly across the two halves, while its eight corner kicks and five shots on goal kept the pressure on ASU.
Bama State did get seven shots off, including a 69th-minute try off the boot of
Tyra Sterling that was saved. The ensuing plays saw the Hornets get three straight corner tries, as well as a close call on a potential penalty kick in the 71st minute.
Midfielder
Lamya Foughal led the team with three shots, while
Serenity Safeeullah had a pair and Sterling and
Lucca Porter each had one attempt. The team had six total corner tries – five coming in the second half.
Alabama State's
Valentina Espinel withstood the 18 opposing shots on the evening, making four saves in her fourth start of the season. On the opposing side, Camdyn Magrosky picked up the win, making one save and facing seven total shots on the day.
The Lady Hornets have two weeks until its next game, as it will take the field on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. for its Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener against Alcorn State. The eight-game conference slate features four home games and road games in Huntsville, Ala., Prairie View and Houston, Texas, and Baton Rouge, La.
