LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – University of South Alabama soccer assistant coach Mark Foster has accepted the head coaching job at Little Rock, Trojans' athletic director Chasse Conque announced Tuesday.

Foster, who previously served as head coach at Trevecca Nazarene, departs after one season to take over a program that went 9-9-3 in 2017 and advanced to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals.

"I had a wonderful year at South Alabama – we won more than I could've imagined," Foster said. "The girls were really good to me and my family. They were the highlight of the year, just getting to work with a special group of young ladies, and I know they, and (head coach) Richard (Moodie), will continue to have great success. I wish them all the best.

"I didn't want to leave and wasn't planning to leave so soon, but the opportunity to be a head coach again at a great school like Little Rock was too much for me to turn down."

In his one season at South Alabama, Foster helped the Jaguars to their fourth consecutive regular-season title and fifth tournament title in a row. USA went 14-6-1 overall, 9-1 in the league, and won the tournament by a combined score of 11-0 before falling to No. 16 Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

After an 0-4 start, the Jags lost just once in their next 16 matches, and had a league-high seven players named to the all-Sun Belt teams. Rio Hardy and Hannah Godfrey were named the SBC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, and voted to the United Soccer Coaches all-Region teams.

South Alabama led the conference in goals (40), points (108) and shutouts (8, tie), and was second in goals against average (0.93). Hardy finished first in goals (16), points (37) and game-winning goals (6).

"It's been an honor to work with him for the last year," head coach Richard Moodie said. "We met at a coaching course and talked about how funny it would be to one day work together at a Division I school, and sure enough we had the pleasure to work together here at the University of South Alabama.

"He's a great coach and a fantastic individual. Little Rock has made a great hire taking him on. He's going to do fantastic things. We're excited for him and wish him well. We appreciate everything he and his family have given to the program."

Foster spent the previous four seasons as head coach at his alma mater, where he compiled a 40-27-8 record – 34-17-6 in his final three campaigns – and left the school as the second-winningest coach in program history.

The 2016 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year coached 21 all-G-MAC honorees, five all-region recipients, and a CoSIDA Academic All-American®.

As a player, Foster finished his career as the school's all-time leader in both goals (41) and points (95), and shares the top spot in assists (13).

He led the program to 29 wins in his four years, including the Trojans' first postseason win as a senior. Foster was the TranSouth Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2008 and the TSAC Freshman of the Year in 2005. He was voted to the league's first team in 2005 and 2008, and picked up second-team laurels in 2006 and 2007.

In the classroom, Foster was twice named a TranSouth Scholar-Athlete.

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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