Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – SIUE women's soccer scored twice on the road Sunday, but it wasn't enough as Jacksonville State defeated the Cougars 3-2.
SIUE, 4-5-1 overall and 1-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference, lost back-to-back games for the first time since beginning the season 0-2.
Jacksonville State (10-2-1, 3-0) built a lead in the game's first opening minutes. Kelsey Bright scored both first-half goals for the Gamecocks.
"What got us in trouble today is that we started very slow," SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said. "They dictated the play for the first 10-15 minutes. That's when their first goal came."
Bright scored the first goal in the 13th minute, getting her head on a cross from Kaitlin Manns. Katt Dowd found Bright again in the 26th minute. Bright then slipped it past SIUE goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley into the left corner.
"The second goal came completely against the flow of play," Burton said. "It was a quality goal."
SIUE got on the board in the 68th minute when Michelle Auer converted on a penalty kick. Manns converted a penalty kick of her own less than 10 minutes later. Meagan Iffrig capped the scoring with her first goal of the year. It came from the top in the box. Auer assisted on the goal.
"Michelle (Auer) got the goal and an assist, and Meagan (Iffrig) opener her account for the year, if you will," Burton added. "Hopefully this will open them both up."
In total, the Cougars unleashed 29 shots including 20 on goal. It is the second consecutive game SIUE has recorded more than 25 shots in a game.
"The positive take is the offense," Burton said. "We still need to convert more of the chances we are creating. We've left too many opportunities and chances out there."
SIUE returns to Korte Stadium for the final four home games of the season. The home stretch begins with a Friday game against Southeast Missouri at 7 p.m.
"Hopefully we learn from this and get back to the disciplined defensive team that we are," Burton added. "From here it's all about getting points-about getting results."
