JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Samford soccer team opened the 2022 regular season with a 2-0 win at in-state rival Jacksonville State Thursday evening at the JSU Soccer Complex.

"It was hard, to be honest with you," Samford head coach Todd Yelton said. "Neil (MacDonald) had his team ready to play and those kids played hard. First time out, this was a good night for us. We'll try to rest up and work on some things. I think we could have been a little cleaner in our passing. We got a little bit too vertical at times. But for a first night, getting a win on the road, we'll take it."
 
Kyla Reynolds and Kylie Gazza each netted a goal for the Bulldogs, while Ella Simpson added an assist in the win. As a team, Samford had 12 shots to four for Jacksonville State, while the Bulldogs tallied eight shots on goal, to just two for the Gamecocks.
 
Samford goalkeeper Morgan McAslan saved two shots in posting her first shutout of the season. Gazza and Layton Glisson had two shots on goal each to share the Samford lead.
 
Samford got on the scoreboard in the 25^th minute when Reynolds scored on a breakaway to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Gazza added a second goal off of a corner kick, finishing off a header by Simpson in the 75^th minute for a 2-0 Bulldogs lead.
 
Samford will next play at Rice on Sunday. The match is set for a 1 p.m. start from Houston, Texas.


 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford women's soccer, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordSoccer (Instagram) and @SamfordSoccer (Twitter).