JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Jacksonville women's soccer team nearly completed a two-goal comeback against Austin Peay, but ultimately fell 3-2 on Thursday night.
 
Goals (Assists)

34' – Alana Owens (Tori Case)
52' – Kasidy Schenk (Clara Heistermann)
54' – Lillian Young
83' – Aniyah Mack (Annabel Anderson)
89' – Nya Bridgewater (Makala Woodford)
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

On a night that featured a lengthy rain delay midway through the first half, both the Governors and the Dolphins (2-6-2) saw a healthy amount of offense on display. JU fell behind by two goals twice in the game, but their offense generated a wealth of shots throughout the contest to keep them in the game.
 
Austin Peay scored just minutes after the rain delay in the 34th minute. However, from the 15th minute until halftime, Jacksonville recorded nine shots to the Governor's one. The Dolphins peppered the APSU goalkeeper, Katie Bahn, throughout the half, but a combination of strong play from Bahn and the Governors' defense kept JU off the board in the first half, despite the Dolphins maintaining most of the possession and ripping off 11 shots.
 
The second half continued to see the Dolphins press offensively and not be rewarded for their effort. A similar theme to the end of the first half saw Austin Peay score on their first shot in the 52nd minute. This time, however, JU responded immediately with a goal of their own from Lillian Young. Young ripped a right-footed shot that knuckled into the bottom right corner, and the game was within one once again. From the beginning of the half until the final 10 minutes, JU outshot Austin Peay 10-1 and continued to press, looking for an equalizer.
 
Into the final 10 minutes, Austin Peay generated a few opportunities, but acrobatic saves from Logan Gonzales kept the Dolphins in the hunt. However, in the 83rd minute, the Governors were able to find a crack in the JU defense, and their lead was back at two again.
 
The Dolphins continued to fight until the end, which included Makala Woodford and Nya Bridgewater combining almost immediately after subbing into the game to pull JU within one with just over a minute remaining. While the Dolphins pushed, the clock reached zero, and Austin Peay escaped with all three points.

WHAT THEY SAID

"A tough loss tonight," said head coach John Constable. "Credit to Austin Peay for getting the win. I appreciate the efforts of our team. There were many positives to our performance tonight, it just wasn't enough in the end. We will dust ourselves down and look to go again on Sunday."
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES

• With tonight's goal, freshman Lillian Young ties fellow freshman Ines Martin for the team lead in goals with four scored.
• The Dolphins outshot Austin Peay 23-10 on the night.
• Logan Gonzales recorded three saves for the second consecutive game.

 
UP NEXT

The Dolphins return to the pitch on Sunday as they play host to Lipscomb at Southern Oak Stadium. The game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff and can be streamed on ESPN+.