JACKSON, Miss. | The Jackson State soccer team delivered a strong second-half performance Friday, scoring twice after the break to secure a 3-1 victory over Austin Peay at the JSU Soccer Field.
Jackson State (2-6-0) produced three goals from three different players, while goalkeeper Taylor Osborn turned away eight shots to help Jackson State protect its home field. JSU finished with a 20-19 advantage in total shots and put 11 attempts on goal.
JSU wasted little time applying pressure offensively. Sarah Portis tested Austin Peay goalkeeper Megan Waskiewicz just over a minute into the contest before eventually breaking through in the 19th minute.
Portis opened the scoring at the 18:51 mark, finishing an opportunity created by Karime Antonio-Lopez to put the Tigers ahead 1-0. The goal was Portis' third of the season. Austin Peay responded late in the opening half when Nya Gibbs scored in the 41st minute, sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
With the match still deadlocked deep into the second half, Jackson State found the breakthrough it needed.
Ryanne Hawthorn-Harper put the Tigers back in front at the 74:01 mark, converting off an assist from India Wilson for her fourth goal of the season. The strike proved to be the game-winner and gave JSU a 2-1 advantage with less than 16 minutes remaining.
Kyla Gomez provided the insurance goal in the 86th minute, finding the back of the net for her first goal of the season and extending Jackson State's lead to 3-1. JSU's defense and Osborn handled the rest to close out the two-goal victory.
Osborn played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded eight saves while allowing just one goal. She made three saves in the opening half and five more after halftime, helping keep Austin Peay off the scoreboard over the final 49 minutes.
Offensively, Portis, Hawthorn-Harper and Gomez each recorded three shots and one goal. Antonio-Lopez and Wilson supplied JSU's two assists. Portis put two of her three attempts on frame, while Hawthorn-Harper also registered two shots on goal.
Jackson State outshot Austin Peay 20-19 overall and held an 11-9 advantage in shots on goal. The Tigers also forced Austin Peay's goalkeeper into seven saves.
Up Next
Jackson State will host Middle Tennessee State on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1 pm.
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