JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (0-3, 0-0 SWAC) played even with a strong Jacksonville (3-1, 0-0 ASUN) team for the first half before dropping a 4-1 decision in an NCAA Division I women's soccer game on Sunday, August 29.
The Gamecocks offense started firing in the first half as they blasted off two shots on goal but would only be rewarded at the 26:44 minute mark. At that point Nyeemah Beckles would be the first on the score board as she connected with Alicia Pallister for a 1-0 lead.
Both teams would remain scoreless for the next 16 minutes until the Bulldogs offense would set up the right play with less than three minutes remaining before the break. Freshman midfielder Marissa Horton (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) would take it herself with 42:54 gone by to even the score 1-1 and send AAMU to the half on even footing.
The Gamecocks started the second half similar to the first, shooting five shots before Gabriel Clarke and Pallister were able to feed Cynthia Bagozzi at the 57:00 mark. The latter then connected, driving the ball to the back of the net to give JSU a 2-1 margin.
Fourteen minutes later the Gamecocks would increase their lead to 3-1 as some familiar faces teamed up again as Clarke found Pallister for a score, this time in the 72nd minute. With less than two minutes remaining the roles would change for JSU and this time Pallister would connect with Clarke who would score the final goal of the game to close out the 4-1 decision.
Horton lead A&M as she scored the only goal for the evening, firing two shots on net. Senior goalkeeper Jodi Medina (Coral Springs, Fla.) played all 90 minutes, making nine saves and allowing four goals.
Pallister ignited the offense for the Gamecocks, delivering a goal while assisting on the other three. Clarke also had one goal and a pair of assists while Bagozzi and Beckles scored one goal each. Morgan Lerch anchored the defense as she went the distance making three saves and allowing only one goal.
The Bulldogs will take the field again on Thursday, September 2 as they play home town rival Alabama-Huntsville. Game time is slated for 5 p.m. on UAH's campus.
