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MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team will go for its fourth straight Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship starting Wednesday at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.

The top-seeded Jaguars will take on No. 8 seed Troy at 7 p.m.

South Alabama brings a 12-5-1 overall record (7-3 Sun Belt) into the tournament, but lost its regular-season finale 4-3 in double overtime at Appalachian State and is 3-3 in its last six games after a seven-match win streak.

Despite the loss to App State, the Jags became the first team in league history to win three consecutive regular-season titles.

"I think it's a credit to what we've done over the last few years when you are disappointed to end the season the way we've ended it, while still being champions," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "There aren't too many times when you're named champion and feel a little disappointed. All in all, with the expectations we have in the program, we've had an average conference so far. The fact that our average means we're champions is a good thing, because it shows what our expectations are around here.

"We know there are some very tough opponents we'll be facing in the tournament, so we're going to be ready and prepared, and we know we'll have the right mental attitude going into Wednesday and hopefully beyond."

With the tournament just over an hour away from campus, Winkworth is optimistic that a large Jaguar contingent will be in attendance, providing a home-away-from-home feel.

"Hopefully we'll get a few fans over there," Winkworth said. "What was very important to us was getting the No. 1 seed because we were able to dictate what time we played, and having the 7 p.m. game will enable people from the community to get to Foley, cheer the girls on and give us an advantage with the crowd. We encourage everyone to drive over from Mobile and watch some good soccer on Wednesday night."

Troy (7-9-3, 3-5-2) ended South Alabama's seven-game win streak in October with a 1-0 victory in Mobile, and both of the Jaguars' possible opponents in the semifinals – No. 4 seed Appalachian State and No. 5 seed Louisiana-Lafayette – defeated the Jags during the regular season.

"I think it adds a little spice to it," Winkworth stated. "The girls won't find it very difficult to get motivated. For the most part, we played pretty well against the teams we lost to, we just weren't clinical enough in both penalty areas. It makes it easier to motivate from a coaching standpoint so it could work out for me in a good way that we lost to these three schools, but at the same time, we know we're capable of playing with anyone at the tournament, and if we play to our potential, then I'm confident we can have a good week."

The Jaguar offense has been clicking since that shutout loss to the Trojans, putting up multiple goals in the last five games, including nine in the last three. After scoring three times in the final weekend, sophomore Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) has taken over the team lead in goals with eight, to go along with her seven assists.

South Alabama leads the series against Troy 7-6-1 and the last 11 meetings have been decided by one goal or fewer. Wednesday will be the second time the two schools have met in the Sun Belt Tournament; the Jaguars defeated the Trojans 1-0 in the 2014 final.

Troy earned the final spot in the tournament despite dropping its last two games of the season on the road against Louisiana-Monroe and Little Rock. Since the victory over the Jags, the Trojans are 1-3 while allowing eight goals.

"They're definitely a better team than their record indicates," Winkworth said. "We'll get Troy's best; we always do, but at the same time, we were focused on us rather than Troy leading up to the tournament, and if we perform up to our capabilities then I'm confident we can get a good result."

In the regular-season matchup, the Trojans picked up the shutout despite being outshot 13-6. Only five of the Jags' attempts hit the target.

"We have to be a little more creative in open play; they're very solid defensively in open play and they have some good players in defense and a good goalkeeper," Winkworth noted. "They did a good job at stifling our good players last time so we have to find ways to utilize those players and emphasize their skills and strengths. If we show up, we'll create chances, it's just making sure we create those chances and are more clinical in the penalty area."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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