The first match saw JSC face in-state opponent, Triangle FC White. The Jammers started strong and got an early goal from Layton Barker mid-way through the first half to make the score 1-0. JSC would have several chances throughout the rest of the match - owning a 14-3 shots on goal margin - but could not find the back of the net again leaving the final score 1-0. The second match of the day pitted the Jammers against NASA Royal, a team out of the Atlanta area. Once again the Jammers started strong and took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. From there a noticeable let down in both intensity and execution plagued the Jammers. Eventually the team was stung by it, surrendering a goal in stoppage time to allow the local club a 1-1 draw.
By virtue of their Saturday performance, the Jammers took the field Sunday knowing they would need some help in order to secure a path toward the final. But first they would need to earn a victory. A much better performance ensued, which allowed JSC goals from Barker, Angel Valencia, and Mitchell Brown to take a 3-0 victory over Atlanta’s Inter SC. In the other match NASA defeated TFC by a 3-2 margin which sent JSC through to the final to play NASA’s top team, NASA Elite for the championship.
In the final match the Jammers put together their best performance of the event, owning a significant advantage in possession and out-shooting NASA by a wide margin. Three shots found the posts, and several more went just wide. Still, the host club maintained a clean sheet. Just when it seemed as though the Jammers would head to a penalty shootout, a defensive miscue coupled with a bad bounce resulted in an attempted clearance rebounding off the JSC defender and into the JSC net for an own goal. Despite pushing forward and having a chance to equalize, the Jammers would run out of time and fall 1-0.
The 94 Gold’s fall season winds up as a successful campaign with the Jammers posting a 4-1-2 overall record and a goal differential of 12 goals scored against just two allowed.
