The University of South Alabama women’s soccer team stands at 0-4 after a pair of home losses this past weekend. Southeastern Louisiana posted a 1-0 win on Friday and McNeese State recorded a 3-1 win on Sunday. The goal against McNeese State was the first goal of the season for the Jaguars. The Jaguars are coming off the 2005 season with a 12-5-1 finish in 2005 and a berth in the conference final. The Jags return six starters and 11 letterwinners from a year ago.
In his eighth year at USA, Jaguar coach Mike Varga looks to build on the success of last season and remains focused on winning the conference and playing in the NCAA’s.
This year, senior Jenn Edgar leads the team with one goal, while freshmen Kayla Pratt, Tiara Smith and Amanda Douglas lead the team with four shots each.
In goal, the Jaguars have used all three keepers. Sophomore Kelsie Langford has seen the most action with 302 minutes logged with 10 saves and a 2.37 GAA. Freshman Katie Berry has seen action in two games, allowing one goal and having one save. Freshman Jessica Ori has seen action in one game in goal.
SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA: The Ospreys enter the week with a 2-1 record after a 1-0 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Tuesday. UNF defeated Flagler 4-0 to open the season and defeated Georgia Southern 2-1. UNF did not play this past weekend. The Ospreys have six different players who have scored goals so far this season. Jessica Jowers leads the team with two assists and Lena Mullaney has one assist.
In goal, both Heather Gosseling and Rachael Howard have split time. Both are 1-0 and Gossling has two assists and one shutout.
UNF returns six starters and 14 letterwinners from last year’s 8-8-2 squad. The Ospreys were 5-4-1 in the Atlantic Sun under 10th year head coach Mike Munch. Munch is 105-46-9 in nine seasons.
LAST TIME THEY MET: This is the first meeting between the two schools. USA has a 6-5 record against teams currently in the Atlantic Sun Conference. USA has played Belmont (1-0), Mercer (2-1), Stetson (2-2) and Jacksonville (1-2).
SCOUTING CLEVELAND STATE: The Vikings enter the week with a 1-3 mark after a pair of losses on the road at Valparaiso (4-1) and at IUPUI (2-1). CSU won its program’s first soccer game in the season opener against Delaware State 6-0 on Aug. 27. CSU was 0-38-1 prior to that match in just over two years of soccer.
Head coach Derrek Falor welcomes back nine starters and 13 letterwinners from last season’s 0-18-1 team that was 0-6 in the Horizon League.
CSU is lsed by Shayna Black who has scored four goals and one assist to lead the team with nine points. Ashley Walchack is right behind with three goals and one assist for seven points. Lisa Conway leads the team with 14 shots.
In goal, the Vikings are led by Erin Withrow who has played and started all four games, allowing eight goals and has tallied 21 saves. She has one shutout and a 1.93 GAA.
The KELME Port City Classic will be the first in-season tournament that Cleveland State has played in. CSU is in its third season of women’s soccer.
LAST TIME THEY MET: USA owns a 1-0 record over Cleveland State in a series that dates back to Sept. 10, 2004. USA posted a 9-0 win at Cleveland State as six different Jaguars scored goals and USA was benefited from an own goal as well. Former Jaguar Heather Adamus and current senior Karrie Johnson each had two goals for the Jags.
SCOUTING NICHOLLS STATE: Nicholls State enters the week with a 1-3-1 record after 1-1 tie against Louisiana-Monroe on Sunday. The Colonels are led by Katherine Peters with three goals, while Alicia Gautreau and Sara West each have two. Tori Priddy leads the team with three assists.
In goal, the Colonels are led by Sarah Neuzig who has played and started in every contest.
The Colonels are led by head coach Cindy Piper who is in her third year as head coach. Piper has a 5-26-3 record at NSU.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK: The Jaguars opened the 2006 home season with a pair of losses to Southland Conference foes in Southeastern Louisiana (1-0) and McNeese State (3-1). Jaguar senior Jenn Edgar scored the first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 80th minute against McNeese State. USA had been shutout in the previous four games, dating back to 2005. Freshman Amanda Douglas led the team in shots against McNeese State with four.
RECAPPING 2005 KELME PORT CITY CLASSIC: The 2005 KELME Port City Classic was shortened due to Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the gulf coast. USA could only play one game of the 2005 Port City Classic, posting a 2-1 win over Birmingham-Southern. Toledo beat Southeastern Louisiana 1-0 in the other game on Aug. 26. The Aug. 28 games were cancelled due to the impending storm. Kelly Tarrant and Tiffanie Stewart were named Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players, respectively.
The Jaguars' next game will be on Friday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at The Cage against Louisiana State.
