Gamecocks Blast North Alabama In Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE – Jacksonville State blasted in-state rival North Alabama, 5-0, on Sunday night in Huntsville’s Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
In the first collegiate game played in the home of the Huntsville City FC, the Gamecocks took command early with a pair of goals within a span of two minutes in the opening half and added three goals in the second half to snap a two-match losing skid to the Lions in the series.
Highlighting Jax State’s offensive fire power in the Rocket City was a pair of Gamecocks with goals in the second half. Junior Naroa Domenech extended the lead early in the second half with the first of her two goals in the final 45 minutes with the first one coming five minutes into the second half and added her second netted ball six minutes later. She also added an assist on Jax State’s first goal of the contest after setting up Tori Paul for her second goal of the opening weekend. Paul tallied the game winner in the season opener last Thursday against West Georgia.
“We trained very well coming in to the match after we worked on some things from Thursday. We were able to get in a rhythm. We had a game plan and a few thing in play specifically for today that we worked on and the players executed it phenomenally,” said head coach Sean Fraser. “Getting that first goal builds confidence and momentum,” added Fraser.
Transfer Melissa Kuya Strobel, who had an assist versus UWG, tacked on Jax State’s second goal of the first half with in the 10th minute, moments after Paul’s scoring play. Strobel, who joined the Gamecocks from Troy, put the finishing touches on the scoring with a goal in the 63rd minute.
The Gamecocks were solid defensively on the opening weekend of the season with a pair of shutouts and only allowing nine shots in the 180 minutes of action. Junior Poppy Bastock collected the win in both matches on the weekend with three saves combined in the two matches.
“I think we really defended well tonight, especially in the first half because they were hitting some long balls and a few set plays and those can change a game, so the players were brave. I really like their effort, attitude and the application of the game plan,” mentioned Fraser.
Jax State and UNA hope to make playing in Huntsville a year-in-and-year out experience for both programs. The Gamecocks had a great contingent of fans and alumni from the Huntsville area.
“This was so much fun tonight and when the players got here and saw the facility, they were energized with the whole arena. It’s a special thing to play under the lights and playing in front of a great crowd. I am happy that the players got to experience this because it is about them<‘ added=””>
Jax State returns to action next Sunday, August 25 with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky to face the Wildcats of Kentucky. Kick off is set for 12 p.m. CT and will be streamed on the SEC Network+.
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