MOBILE, Ala. – On Saturday, the University of South Alabama soccer team will travel to Auburn for a NCAA Tournament first-round match at the Auburn Soccer Complex.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon. It will be a rematch from the schools' Aug. 21 encounter, a 1-0 double-overtime win by the Tigers in Mobile.

"We're excited and looking forward to another fun weekend," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "It never gets old to take the team to a selection show and see your name come up on the screen. We're looking forward to our trip to Auburn."

The Jaguars reached the NCAA Tournament thanks to three straight shutouts in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and a plus-nine goal differential. The team, which had allowed 10 goals in its previous six games prior to the start of the tournament, became the first league school to blank all three opponents since 2012.

South Alabama's shutout total has risen to 12, tied for the most in school history.

"Anytime the defense is playing well going postseason play, it's good timing," Winkworth noted. "We've managed to look after the girls' bodies this season and limited the number of injuries we had. We feel healthy and fresh and we're looking forward to a good game."

The Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England), contributed three goals last weekend, including two game winners, and currently leads the team in goals (11), assists (7) and points (29). The sophomore, who was also named the conference's player and defender of the year, has recorded at least one point in 11 of her last 13 outings.

"She'll be crucial to our success," Winkworth said. "She'll lead the team as a captain, but she leads by example as well. The other girls will feed off her energy and leadership.

"She's obviously a goal threat from the back and she has an excellent delivery as well; she's dangerous on set pieces. She keeps the game simple and doesn't stop running. She played last week with a fever of 101; we managed to get it down before kickoff so she was allowed to play. She was able to bust her rear end through those types of obstacles and come out the other end as the player of the tournament. That just shows her character."

Saturday will mark the first time in the Jaguars' four NCAA Tournament appearances will be a rematch with a regular-season opponent. The Tigers outshot the Jags 22-17 in August and held a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal.

Auburn leads the all-time series 11-1 and has won 10 straight, including a 2-1 win in Auburn last year.

"Both teams know each other's players extremely well," Winkworth said. "We played them in the spring and last fall as well, so we have two teams that are very familiar with one another. Obviously they're the SEC school and the heavy favorites, but we know we can play with the big schools; we don't fear anybody. We managed to beat top, quality sides this season, and if we show up, we're capable of giving Auburn a very good game."

Twin sisters Brooke and Casie Ramsier are two of the Tigers' top three scorers. Casie is tied for the top spot in goals with 11, and Brooke has a team-best 10 assists. The two assisted on Courtney Schell's goal against USA in August.

"They're both very good players," Winkworth said of the Ramsiers. "They'll be a huge loss to Auburn after this season. Their movement is exceptional, they're good finishers and good creatively as well. They are some of the go-to players that Auburn have, but they're exceptional back to front."

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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