MOBILE, Ala. – A late goal from Ole Miss' Molly Martin proved to be the difference in the Rebels' 1-0 exhibition victory over the University of South Alabama soccer team Friday night at Sage Park.

Martin's goal came in the 85th minute off a cross from Alley Houghton.

GAME FACTS
-The game was moved to Sage Park due to heavy rain in the Mobile area the last few days
-Ole Miss had 23 shots to South Alabama's five, and put 12 of those on net
-The Rebels held an 11-0 edge in shots in the second half
-The Rebels won the corner kicks 4-1
-Sophomore Justice Stanford kept the Jags in the game, making 11 saves, including several diving stops in the second half to keep the contest scoreless
-Marnie Merritt made two stops for Ole Miss

NOTES
-Stanford's career high in saves is eight, set last year vs. Florida State
-Ole Miss leads the series 3-2 in non-exhibition games, but the Jags won in Oxford last season 1-0

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
Overall thoughts on the game: "We looked tired. We looked like we were the team that was playing their second scrimmage. This was their first game, so they came out gung ho. In the first half, I thought we had some good chances, we hit the cross bar and Danielle Henley had a couple of good chances, but all in all, I think we're happy. We've got to have these games to learn and I think the loss could be good for us too because it gives us the opportunity to work on a few things in practice."

On the differences between the first and second halves: "I think clearly in the first half we saw more of the ball. When it did open up after the first five or 10 minutes, the girls moved it well. When we got it in to our midfield three, they were able to move the ball around. It was a little like what we did against LSU. The first half, we didn't dominate possession, but we definitely created more chances. In the second half, we looked more tired and it was more of a defensive battle and we were holding on for dear life and on the off chance we caught them on the counter."

On the back four's performance: "That's the same back four that played 90 minutes against LSU. It's the same back four that had to play 90 minutes again tonight, bar one of them. I think the solidarity within the group, knowing that we've lost two influential players within that back four that were so successful, I think it's hard for them to step in and do the job that they've done. Now you produce a leader out of Hannah Godfrey, you've got two freshmen side-by-side, and in fact three freshmen against SEC opposition. It took them every bit of 85 minutes to break down three freshmen and a junior."

UP NEXT
The Jaguars officially open the 2017 season next Friday at Auburn. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

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).

Join the Upper 90 Club, the soccer specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  All gifts to the Upper 90 Club go directly to support the South Alabama soccer program.  For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/upper90


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